Dr. Jesse K. Webb

Posted on March 7, 2025

Dr. Jesse K. Webb, 87, of Perry passed away peacefully on Monday, March 3, 2025, at the Margaret Dozier Hospice House in Tallahassee. Born in Mt. Vernon, Ill., Jesse was the beloved son of Arthur and Thelma Webb. He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School, where he met and married the love of his life, Joyce K. Williams-Webb. He later enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, as a Seabee. While serving in the military, he began pastoring a church in Nova Scotia, marking the beginning of his lifelong passion for ministry and serving people. Dr. Webb dedicated his life to ministry, pastoring in Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee. While in Tennessee, he earned a bachelor’s degree and began teaching history at a local high school, where he also served as a baseball and golf coach. During this time, he felt God leading him toward a new calling – counseling. His life verse became Luke 4:18-19: “To mend the brokenhearted and set the captives free…” In 1973, he accepted an invitation to pastor St. John’s Free Will Baptist Church in Perry. During this time, he also worked at Taylor County High School as a history teacher, Dean of Boys, in-school suspension and coached golf. In 1980, Dr. Webb began Praise Christian Center in Perry, which continues today as Evangel Christian Fellowship. In 1998, he joined the pastoral staff at Evangel Cathedral in Spartanburg, S.C., serving as a pastoral counselor. While there, he earned his doctorate in counseling. Dr. Webb and his wife, Joyce, spent much of their lives traveling the world in ministry and counseling. Among his cherished memories was his journey to Tibet, where he had the extraordinary opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama. Dr. Webb is survived by: his devoted wife and ministry partner of 69 years, Joyce Williams Webb; their four children, Joni Webb Brown (Rusty Brown), Jackie Webb Moore (Rick Miller), Juanita Webb (Kimberley Johnson) and the Rev. Justin Webb (Alison Webb); five grandchildren, Brittany Webb Patrick, Elisa Webb Murphy (Caleb Murphy), Dr. Jessica Webb, Michael Moore (Blair Bennett Moore) and Cody Moore (Madison Roberts); and four great-grandchildren, Trace Patrick, Jace Luke, Amelia Murphy and Lainey Murphy. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry Webb of Marion, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Thelma Webb of Mt. Vernon. A public memorial service will be held at Evangel Christian Fellowship Sunday, March 9, at 3 p.m., with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. Internment will take place Tuesday, March 11, at the National Cemetery in Tallahassee. Dr. Webb’s legacy of faith, love and service will live on in the lives of those he touched. His unwavering commitment to helping others and his deep devotion to his family will forever be remembered.