Kate Webb Ragsdale

Kate Webb Ragsdale, age 73, died Feb. 24, 2013. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2013, at Christ Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa, with a reception after the service in Randall Hall. The Rev. David Meginniss and The Rev. Dr. Catherine Collier will officiate with Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.

She is survived by her sons, Hugh Appleton Ragsdale III “Terry” and his wife, Alexa, of Pelham, New York, and James Webb Ragsdale of Dubai, United Arab Emirates; her grandchildren, Hugh Appleton Ragsdale IV, Samuel August Ragsdale, and Eliza LaGarde Ragsdale; her brother, William Norwood Webb of Amelia Island, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Kate was born in Durham, North Carolina, on January 28, 1940, to James and Margaret Webb. She grew up in Hillsborough and Greensboro, North Carolina, and was graduated from St. Mary's School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she was valedictorian of her class. She received her B.A. in Religion from Sweet Briar College and her M.L.S. from the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alabama.

Kate began working at the University of Alabama in the 1980s at the Human Resources Institute in the College of Commerce and Business Administration. After earning her degree in Library Science, she was hired as the University Libraries' Planning Officer and gained the rank of associate professor. She was awarded the Library Leadership Award for faculty in 2004, and in 2012 she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater, the UA School of Library and Information Studies. She was constantly involved in campus-wide committees.

Kate was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, where she was a member of the altar guild and had served as president and secretary of Murphy Guild.

She was involved with many civic organizations. She was a member of the Friends of the Library Board and for many years served on the board of West Alabama AIDS Outreach. She was a member of the Junior League and the Colonial Dames.

Kate was known for her devotion and loyalty to her family and friends and for her sense of humor and enthusiastic approach to life. Among her many interests were music, dance, sports, travel, and gardening. She was an avid fan of University of Alabama football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, and softball. She was also known for her great fondness for animals.

The family suggests donations to the Humane Society of West Alabama, 1515 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404, or to a favorite charity.