Jean Webster

Jean (Sharp) Webster passed away in her sleep the day after her 94th birthday on June 28, 2021 at the amazing Adult Family Home that tenderly, lovingly and respectfully cared for her the last 8 months of her life in Olympia, Washington.

She was born June 27, 1927 in Beemer, Nebraska to Grover Cleveland and Esther Matilda (English) Sharp. She was the sixth of eight children born into the family. She grew up on the family farm located just one mile outside of the town of Beemer learning to work hard. At a young age she was the young bread baker of the family. She also learned to be a very meticulous house cleaner for the large family. She cleaned so often and so well that she earned the name 'Dirt Chaser' from her siblings!

She graduated from Beemer High School at the tender age of 16 years old. She always used to tell her kids that when she graduated that day she was scared to death of moving on with her life. She waited a couple years and continued to work on the farm helping her parents and remaining siblings before braving the world and heading to college! During this time period she met a young man that sparked her interest and warmed her heart. William 'Bill' Russell Webster was the handsome young man's name and she instantly fell in love. He felt the same towards her but was drafted into the Army and off to the Korean War. She promised to wait for him and she did. When he arrived home from Korea he opted out of the Army, moved home, asked his sweetheart to marry him and on November 29, 1953 they were married in Norfolk, Nebraska. Their love affair lasted as long as they were alive.

Jean was a very devoted wife and mother. She and Bill had three children who were all born in Nebraska as well. When the youngest was born they started moving out west with their first stop in Minnesota, then on to Spangle, Washington and eventually ending up in Auburn Washington where they lived for many years while their 3 children all went through private school. Jean believed it was her job to raise her own children so she was a stay at home mother. She took great pride and joy in providing a clean home, amazing meals, homemade bread, cookies and the list goes on! She was an amazing baker and cook! She was known for her bread, cinnamon rolls and cookies everywhere she ever lived. Everything she baked she shared. Always the giver.

Jean was also an avid gardener. She LOVED to garden! Her garden she loved the most was about an acre and a half and it produced most of the vegetables her family would need to last all through the winter. Fruit, vegetables, jams, jellies, juice and the list goes on once again! She never stopped! Green beans were her specialty! Anyone who knew Jean knew of her love for gardening!

When her children were all in school Jean began a house cleaning type of business. She had a few houses that she cleaned as well as cleaning for a real estate company when they needed her. She was always busy. No grass ever grew under her feet!

Jean and Bill eventually ended up moving to Shelton Washington in their senior years to be close to their daughter, Bonnie, so she could help take care of them. When their health begin to decline and they were no longer able to stay at home anymore they moved to an assisted living community in Tumwater, Washington. It was here that Jean's beloved husband, Bill passed away in April 2014. They would have been married 61 years that November.

Jean was a devoted Seventh-day Adventist, having been baptized into the church in 1948 in Yellowstone National Park! She worked most of her adult life in the children's departments of the church and also serving as a deacon. She cared deeply for those who were shut in and couldn't come to church so she had a card mailing ministry that she did all by herself. All Jean has ever wanted is for everyone to love God and to be in Heaven. She loved her Jesus!

Jean continued on even though the loss of her husband broke her heart immensely. She fell and broke her wrist in three places as well as both hips not long after Bill passed away. It forced her to have to live in a nursing home in Olympia for 6 ½ years before finally being able to move to the most amazing Adult Family Home in Olympia, Washington to live out the rest of her life. There she was treated with such great love, respect, and dignity. Jean struggled with dementia the last few years of her life and it was so hard on her. She never stopped talking about baking, canning, cooking and cleaning! Those 'tasks' were her greatest joy!

Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill Webster, her son Charles Lee Webster, her sisters, Mary (Gene) Robertson, Lola (Russell) Wright, her brothers, Harry (Doris) Sharp, Norman (Virginia and then Donna) Sharp and Edward (Gloria) Sharp.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Beth (Rick) Jordan, Stafford, VA, Bonnie (Bruce) Fuller, Shelton, WA, a brother, John (Muriel)Sharp, Norfolk, NE, and a sister Joan (Gordan) Bissell, College Place, WA. and five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Jean had a favorite Bible verse that she always quoted to everyone at least once in any conversation!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Whatsoever your hands find to do, do it with all your might....”

Ecclesiates 9:10