Eleanor Ree (Haralson) Webb

Eleanor Ree Haralson Webb
June 21, 1930 – July 24, 2023

Eleanor Ree Haralson Webb, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, completed her earthly life’s journey, spanning 93 years, on July 24, 2023.   Born in Farmington, Georgia on June 21, 1930, Ree was the youngest of four children.  According to stories shared by her siblings, she was the most pampered in the household since she was considered too small to complete the household tasks assigned to the others. 

The value of education was instilled in Ree by her father from her earliest days.  He saw education as a key to a more successful life.  Ree graduated from Miller High School in Macon, Georgia, having never missed a day during her 12-year academic career, and her subsequent path towards further education for her herself and others took root. 

On a blind date, set by Ree’s future sister-in-law, Ree met the love of her life, Lee Webb.  They married in 1949 and celebrated 45 years together.  Their time together was cut short by Lee’s passing in 1995.  During the early months of their marriage, Lee was called into service by the US Navy during the Korean conflict.  Following Lee’s discharge from the Navy, he continued his career in the paper industry, and they established a home in a house built by Lee and his father.  Over the next few years, they were blessed with two daughters.

Ree’s skills excelled in this environment.  She maintained the household, sewed clothing for the girls, and cooked.  She also continued to develop her carpentry skills, frequently assisting Lee with woodworking and renovation projects. 

As a young wife and mother, Ree decided to return to school, earning a Bachelor of Education from Mercer University in 1966.  This led to her teaching career in public schools in Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.  Teaching was a natural job choice for Ree, and she especially enjoyed teaching Reading and Language Arts.  She felt everyone should be able to read, and she approached her job with energy and creativity.  Every year there was a “Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character” Day, and she loved to dress up like Pippi Longstocking, red-yarn wig and striped socks included!  A reward for high classroom performance earned a student “time in the tub” where, during personal reading time, they could sit in a claw-footed tub she had in her classroom.  She remained a voracious reader for her entire life.

Over time Ree became an accomplished southern cook, even picking up Cajun/Creole skills while living in Louisiana and a few German/Polish details from time spent in Pennsylvania.   If there was an event, you could plan on Ree bringing the cheese straws. 

Ree loved to travel and experience new adventures.  She was first in line for the roller coaster ride with the grandkids.  She enjoyed motorhome camping and was always ready for a trip if someone said, “Do you want to go?”  Her favorite trips were an Alaskan cruise and a tour of middle Europe.  She was fascinated by the history and architecture of the area around Budapest.

As an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, Ree served on the vestry and participated in hunger-relief programs serving the Plymouth area.  Ree was also a member of the Plymouth Garden Club, helping organize the program that eventually lined Highway 64 with daylilies.  Additionally, Ree was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, tracing her ancestry not only to the American Revolution, but also to the Mayflower crossing. 

Ree was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Webb.  She was the last surviving member of her immediate birth family which included her parents, Hallie Mae Smith and Paul Cooper Haralson, and her siblings, Martha Frances Spillers (Paul) of Roberta, Georgia, Sara Jo Goetz (Nelson) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Benjamin Hopkins Haralson (Florie) of Warner Robins, Georgia.   

Ree leaves her strong legacy and dear love to each of her surviving family members.  This includes her daughters, Jana Ree Fransen (Sam) of Sanford, NC and Michele Lee Waters (Charlie) of Plymouth, NC; her grandsons, Geoffrey Clayton Fransen (Carla) of Raleigh, NC, Bradley Davis Fransen of Sanford, NC, Matthew Brian Waters (Regan) of Walstonburg, NC, and Daniel Staten Waters (Megan) of Iron Station, NC; her six great-grandchildren, Staten, Waylon, Austin, Dalton, Daniel, and Ben; and her five nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service for Ree will be held on Sunday, August 6 at 2:00 pm at Plymouth Church of Christ, 905 Washington Street, Plymouth, North Carolina 27962.

In lieu of floral tributes, memorial contributions continuing Ree’s legacy may be made to World Literacy Foundation, to support her passion for books and reading or to The Heifer Project to help fight world hunger.  Please designate that a donation is being made in memory of Ree.  The family’s sincere appreciation goes out to all who chose to honor her in this way.

Mail to: World Literacy Foundation, 712 H Street NC, Suite 2013, Washington, DC 20020, or https: www.worldliteracyfoundation.org, or 1.815.451.5561, and Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AK 72202, or https: www.heifer.org, or 1.855.948.6437.

Arrangement by Bryan Funeral Service at Hampton Academy, Plymouth, NC