Iris Marie Webber

Memorial services will be held 11:30AM, Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at Hill Country Bible Church, 12124 FM 620, Austin, Texas 78750, under the direction of The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, with Chuck Barber officiating. Iris Marie Webber was born to Glenn Sheeder and Jennie Roberts, August 19, 1922, in Guthrie Center, Iowa. Iris attended a one room country school house her first 8 years of school where her mother and father both attended. Iris attended four years of high school in Guthrie Center, receiving a Teacher’s Certificate to teach in the country schools. Iris did not like teaching but took teaching for her father’s demands. She graduated from Guthrie High in 1940. She managed several small cafés, worked as cashier in several grocery stores, and owned and operated a small café in Guthrie Center, Iowa. In 1940, Iris married Joseph Wayne Webber, also a graduate of Guthrie Center High School. To this union, five children were born, Joseph Mason Webber of Hampton, Iowa, Janet Kay Webber Florell Mallett of Leander, Texas, Jerry Lee Webber (Deceased), Jackie Wayne Webber of Carroll, Iowa, and Dennis Ray Webber of Spring, Texas. Iris continued to work away from home while still caring for her husband and family in full capacity. She loved her husband and family dearly; they enjoyed many things together, camping, water skiing, hunting, gardening, and working on lawn. Iris enjoyed attending all her son’s sporting events. Iris proudly supported her daughter Janet’s path of cheerleading during her four years of high school. She also took part in all 5 kid’s graduation ceremonies. After spending 36 years in Guthrie Center, the family moved to Carroll, Iowa in 1958 where they bought eggs from the producers, processing them for the Army, various known grocery stores, and Kraft Foods until 1972 when they moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Iris was the floor manager of the Basket House Gift Shop for 27 years until her retirement. She was a 55 year member of the Rebekah Lodge of the Odd Fellows Lodge in which she was the Past Noble Grand, had filled all stations several times and in 1990 was elected President of the Rebekah Assembly for the State of Arkansas. She later became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Hot Springs in 1988 in which she became the Worthy Matron three times along with several other chairs. From 1991-1992, Iris was also appointed Grand Representative to New Hampshire to represent Arkansas. She visited Chapters all over the state helping in any way she was asked. Iris was a charter member of the Order of the Amaranth which she helped institute Garland Court #21 in Hot Springs where she served as Past Royal Matron two times, and was appointed to Grand Representative to Oklahoma, Kansas, Oregon, Iowa, and Missouri, representing Arkansas. In this role, Iris assisted with anything she was asked, including initiating new members. During these years, Iris did a lot of traveling which she enjoyed beyond words. She lived a Christian life and attended services as much as possible with her family. After moving to her home in Georgetown, Texas in 1999, Iris continued her home care, yard work, gardening, and flowers. She loved the outdoors and working the yard. Iris began baking breads for her dear neighbors, friends, family, and for “Loaves of Love” Ministry in the Hill Country Bible Church in Austin. She began attending Hill Country with her daughter who attended. Iris expressed great praise to the church, especially Rev. Tim Hawks.In 2011 Iris went through open heart surgery with flying colors and made a full recovery. She then moved in with her daughter and her husband in Leander, Texas in June of 2013, having endured a fall leaving her with a chronic wound in her upper thigh. On December 4, 2014, she suffered a stroke, leaving her right side somewhat paralyzed. Until her death on Friday, May 20, 2016, she never gave up. She kept her faith until the very end with a smile and good word for everyone. She truly was as she was so fondly referred to, “The Eveready Bunny” She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Wayne Webber, her son, Jerry Lee Webber, and her loving parents. She leaves to mourn, four children and their spouses, eleven grandchildren, one step-grandson, twenty-six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hill Country Bible Church, 12124 FM 620, Austin, Texas, 78750, the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, or the National Emphysema Society, 128 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut, 06851. “When you’re feeling as if you’re alone; And your problems will just never end, I want you to know that I’m pulling for you- Just remember that you’ve got a friend.”