Mary Ruth Austin Webb, age 87, of the Prices Creek Community, went Home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 18th, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Dot and Lela Robinson Austin and cherished granddaughter of the late George and Isabelle “Mimi” Robinson. In addition to her parents and maternal grandparents, Mary Ruth was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Bob Webb; her son, Michael Austin Webb and his wife, Judy McKinney Webb; her sisters: Doris Wright, Maxine McCurry and Rachel Buckner; a niece, Paula Wright; nephews: David Webb and Johnny Doan; sisters-in-law: Katrinka Webb Doan, On Webb and Lucille Webb; brothers-in-law: John Buckner, Frank Albert Wright, Jim Webb, Leacil Webb, Mike Reid and Jeff Doan.
Mary Ruth was a devoted member of Cane River Baptist Church for over 50 years, where she faithfully loved and served her Lord throughout her life. She adored her church and church family. Mary Ruth was known throughout the community for the many years she spent as a hairdresser, a profession she dearly loved. She owned and operated Webb’s Beauty Shop for over 30 years, until selling her business to Jill Austin. Jill renamed the beauty shop to Jill’s Hairport, where Mary Ruth remained and worked for many years until her retirement. Mary Ruth never met a stranger and found great joy in talking with people and caring for her customers, who meant so much to her. Her fierce and witty sense of humor and infectious smile will always be remembered by all who knew her. Above all else, Mary Ruth cherished her family. They were the center of her life and she treasured every moment spent with each one of them. She especially enjoyed shopping and taking beach trips with her sisters.
Left to cherish the precious memories of Mary Ruth is her daughter, Bobbie Ruth Leibowitz and husband David of Burnsville; a granddaughter: Cortney Taylor and husband Philip of Newdale; three grandsons, B.J. Webb and wife Amanda of Prices Creek, Jason Holcombe of Burnsville and Jarret Allen and wife Julia also of Burnsville; great-grandchildren: William Webb, Kylie, Keely, Trinity, and Pierson Taylor; sisters: Susie Fox and husband Tommy of Burnsville and Karen Robinson and husband Jim of Indian Creek; sisters-n-law: Peggy Buckner of Bald Creek, Polly Austin and husband Stokes of Prices Creek, Alice Witt and husband Jim of Burnsville and Gail Reid of Canton, GA; brothers-in-law: Donald Buckner of Bald Creek and Morris Webb of Chesterton, IN. Many nieces, nephews and other extended family also survive.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 25th, 2026, in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Service. Rev. Shane Cassida will be officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will follow all services in the Austin Cemetery off of Indian Creek Road.
The Webb family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff at The Yancey House and to Compassionate Care Hospice WNC for the wonderful care and support provided to Mary Ruth along with her family.
Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice WNC at 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
Yancey Funeral Services is respectfully serving the Webb family. To send an online condolence please visit: www.yanceyfuneralservice.com