Mrs. Webb was my Latin teacher from 1990 to 1994 and one of the few teachers I kept in touch with after graduation. My first memory of Mrs. Webb was her pitching Latin to my 8th grade history class, and if it wasn't for her, I probably would have taken Spanish like my older brother. But I loved the idea of learning a secret language, and Mrs. Webb taught Latin in a way that felt subversive and alive. "They don't really teach grammar anymore," she'd tell us before showing us how to map sentences.

I don't have just one favorite moment from Mrs. Webb's classroom. Others will mention the storytelling and the felt board, but I loved all the charts and rules, the puzzles on paper. Mrs. Webb could make her lessons into a tent big enough to hold everyone. In first year, we started with "The farmer loves." By third year, Mrs. Webb was having each of us recite sections of Caesar's Gallic Wars from memory. "Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres..." will always be stuck somewhere in my head.

Mrs. Webb made her classroom into a sanctuary for the kids. Her classroom was tucked away in a corner of the second floor at Smith. Kids would hang out there after school painting the mural, planning the next Latin Club event, and telling her about their days. Whenever I talked to Mrs. Webb after graduation, she'd lament the way they (the district or whoever) were always taking away foreign language funding. But she held steadfast, kept teaching year after year. She outlasted all the fads.

I was fortunate to win a small college scholarship that kept paying as long as I kept taking Latin. I would check in with Mrs. Webb during the holidays and stop by Smith on a random January afternoon to tell her about my Latin class that semester and other random life stuff. I don't remember any specific advice, but I remember Mrs. Webb was always pulling for me. I can't believe she's gone. I'll miss our talks. She made me a better person.


Colleen was always "my little sister"...I walked her to and from grade school...I drove her to high school...we played together as young kids...we loved each other. Her death has been a very great loss for me. Although Colleen and I led very different lives, I came home to see her over the years to feel the closeness that we had growing up together. That childhood remains my closest and most secure memory in a world that has taken me far away from our simple and safe childhood. I always thought that Colleen would outlive me and somehow always be there if I needed her. I miss her, and the simple innocence of our childhood...Dennis King

Mrs. Webb was my high school Latin teacher. She had a great sense of humor and passion for teaching. She will be missed. Condolences and prayers for her family.

I will always remember Mrs. Webb as one of the best teachers I had in high school. She was an amazing teacher and loved telling stories in class to make it fun! Her sense of humor and just personality was great. Her Latin classroom was unique and she was gentle yet stern at the same time. I appreciated how she taught us grammar which helped me in English class too. Her willingness to take a group of students to Europe was also much appreciated! 

I've known Colleen since preschool when we went to the same church. I first really noticed her in the eighth grade, when our homeroom class went on a hayride. She was sitting on a bale of hay. Life was never quite the same again. Although it didn't turn out quite the way I first expected, we've been friends ever since. We've stayed in touch after leaving high school. We shared many confidences and offered support during personal challenges as we were able to. We kept each other up to date on our lives through phone calls, letters, and emails. I followed her delight in her two sons, and she eventually married another old friend of mine. I also kept up with generations of her pets, including the pet frog she kept in her back yard as a kid. There were ups and downs, but our friendship endured for sixty years. Colleen has remained tolerant, in spite of my consistent mistakes. Colleen has been as good a friend as I've ever had.
I'm impressed, but not surprised by the many fond memories of Colleen's Latin and English students. She was committed to them, even though there were some interesting challenges along the way. She once summed up her approach to teaching by saying, "I'm a showman". In recent years, Colleen researched her family history, and, appropriately, she traced it back to the Roman Empire.
The last time I saw Colleen was at the W. W. Samuell High School Class of 1965 fifty-year reunion. I'm grateful that, in spite of a painful injury (her flip flops flipped her), she was determined to come to the reunion anyway. The last time I heard from her, she posted a comment on my Facebook page: "Are we still friends?" I answered that of course we were, and asked if she was all right. She never replied. Colleen will always remain part of my life.

 I had your mom for four years as my Latin teacher (NSHS ’89), and she was one of my favorites.  I still remember the huge piece of art that we created on one of her classroom walls.  I also think about the Latin notebook that she had her students make every year, which caused us to look for the influence of the Latin language in the world today.  I am amazed by the amount of Latin that I still remember and how helpful it is in my vocation as a pastor of a church.  In addition, your mom knew how to have fun and encouraged us to do the same.  I shared with my children last night  memories from the Latin Club banquets that we had every year at an Italian restaurant.  We all dressed up in togas, and I think that she encouraged us to dress as our favorite Roman god or goddess.  We had such a good time on those nights!

I did not realize at the time how much she gave of herself, so that her students would discover the joy of an ancient language AND have fun learning in the process.  She was an extraordinary teacher, who genuinely cared about her students and the subject which she taught.  Please let her know how much of a difference her life has made.  Let her know how beloved she is by so many of us, who are grateful for her life, her generous spirit, her creative mind, and her caring heart. 

I am praying for you and your family.  She is a very blessed woman to be surrounded by her family as she makes her way to heaven.  I have no doubt that, when she arrives, Jesus will say to her, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”  She truly lived into her purpose and made a difference with all that God gave her.  She is a wonderful example of a life well-lived.

Mrs. Webb was my Latin teacher from 1994-1998, but she was so, so much more than that as well. The values, stories, and experiences I learned in that classroom will be embedded in me for the rest of my time. I was far from a good student; in fact, one of the best life lessons I learned occurred my freshman year in Latin I when I poorly attempted to cheat on a big exam. Mrs. Webb easily caught me and made an example of me on why it's not smart to cheat by giving me a 0 on the test that pretty much made up our 6 week grade. I remember being embarrassed, scared I was going to flunk out of high school (I was 14 and thought I ruined everything), and ashamed. Mrs. Webb gave me the option to take on extra assignments and let me take the test again under her watchful eye to average out the 0. I learned things you want to accomplish you have to earn, and nothing that's worth it comes easy.....I never cheated again. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for Mrs. Webb and that amazing classroom. I wish my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones in this tough time.

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Colleen.  I was her principal from 1992-2001.  I best remember how she decorated her room to look like ancient Rome to make what some called a dead language come alive for students.  She helped with the challenging conversion of teaching methods in the world languages department to focus on oral proficiency even though that didn't necessarily apply to Latin.  As a student myself who took 3 years of Latin in high school, I believed in her mission to keep the study of seemingly ancient languages alive for students.   I am sad she had a difficult time the past few years.  May her family find comfort in thinking of all of the students and teachers she impacted in her life.

I loved Mrs Webb! She was a great teacher and a supportive adult in my teen years. You all are in my prayers!!

Mrs. Ellen Colleen Webb was my Latin teacher for four years at Smith. Besides the amazing stories that she would tell us, I actually learned a lot of Latin. In fact, it helped me learn to speak four languages. However, my favorite story of all was one time she was showing us pictures of her prom. When I looked, I said, "Holy crap, Mrs. Webb, you looked good!" And she responded with, "I know, Josh, but I was out of your league." Best. Teacher. Ever.

She was such a precious person. She, Ann and I rode to and from school together throughout high school. She was always one of the best in our school. My prayers and love for all of your family.

Thank you for posting! Mrs. Webb was an amazing teacher and I loved having her all four years of high school for Latin (1995-1999)!!! She was such a fun teacher and her room was so unique compared to the other classrooms!! She led a Europe trip and it was also one of the best memories I had in high school!! She also taught us grammar, which helped a lot because CFB-ISD had removed it from the curriculum when I was in elementary school.  I will be praying for your family during this difficult time. I truly loved being in her class and again, she was an amazing teacher! My favorite story of her was when she found "Twiggy" the dead mouse in the room (stuck between something and the wall???) And she placed him in a box and would just shake it. She also told us how she almost choked on a noodle and they found it in her lungs.

I loved her sense of humor and honesty. She had a twinkle in her eye that said let's laugh.  She was her best self always.

I was in Mrs. Webb’s Latin class for 3 years at WWS. It is not an easy subject by any means. I was always amazed by her grasp. She could easily read from the Latin textbook story while translating into English. Most of us were petrified with the thought of being called upon to translate, but not Colleen. When I heard she became a high school Latin teacher, I thought: how very appropriate! I remember her as a beautifully dressed student with hair bows usually matching her dresses..her mother must have been a wonderful seamstress.

I met Colleen in the ninth grade at Hood JR. High school. She was always kind. I admired her because she was beautiful and extremely intelligent. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

After faculty meetings she always thanked us and supported us for standing the grounds of Academic Standards.  She was a hoot to work with.

Your mom was a precious woman and we are so sorry your family has to experience this.

Mrs. Webb was a great influence in my life. I was in her class for only two years. I wished I had started in Latin. Nevertheless, her personality and teaching was impactful; as a result I majored in Latin in college.

Colleen was one of my favorite teachers in high school and I took extra years of Latin just to stay in her class. Not to mention that all those Latin root words came in very handy for my medical career. She is a dear lady whom I very much admire. 

I am deeply saddened to read this. Mrs.Baxter/Webb was my Latin Teacher 1984-1987. She was very patient with my less than studious attitude, and saw in me that a foundation was there for a brighter future. Before I saw it. I recall fun trips to regional and state Latin competitions and eating all of my M&Ms that I was supposed to sell to pay for those trips. Culture Day was always a highlight and she knew some of us were up to no good, relentlessly trying to slip a VHS copy of Caligula into the video player. We got caught every time but somehow managed to get by in Latin studies. Years later, after achieving fluency in 2 non -Latin based languages, Mrs. Webb said to me the purpose of learning Latin is not to learn Latin per se, but training the mind to learn how to learn languages. Brilliant. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. While I am sad, I hold close my good memories of your mother and the positive environment she fostered in the class room for us at NSHS.

As an administrator of her's at NSHS , she always cared for her Latin students and was a great teacher and confident. Prayers of comfort for Colleen and family during this difficult time.

I loved her smile and laughter so much! I was a teacher at one point at Newman Smith with her.

Mrs. Webb's wild stories have shaped the way I see the world. Whenever I drive behind a huge truck with precariously secured cargo, *especially* rugs, I make sure to give them lots of space lest a flying carpet "act of God" happens to me, too. Whenever I turn the oven on--even though we do not use cooking appliances for food storage in our home--I check for a bag of Doritos. This year, pregnant with my second child, sick from both ends after some meal didn't agree with me, I thought, "NOW I understand how Mrs. Webb felt when she ate that batch of *special* brownies!"
She was one of my absolute favorite teachers. I had her for all four years of high school, and I think I only took four years of Latin because of her. She taught me that no boy is worth giving up on my dreams. She helped me learn how to be a leader (after watching me be a terrible one) in Latin Club. She watched me form cringeworthy crushes without commenting or judging. She let me crane over her shoulder and agonize over my grades and class rank as she plugged in numbers into her grade book. She shared so much wisdom and laughter with us. Being in her classroom was an absolute joy.
I loved that she let us exercise our creativity in her class. Her room was decorated with student artwork, from paper mache characters dangling from the ceiling (I have a flamingo head stored away in a box in my garage as a keepsake), to a student-made mural of a Roman temple, to ceiling tiles that we all looked forward to painting at the end of the year.
Now that I'm a teacher, I often think about one of my favorite activities of hers, one that I could never take the time and energy to do: felt board stories. Mrs. Webb had bags of felt board characters to help her teach stories of Roman history. I don't remember the details of any of these stories, but I remember being rapt with attention over Hannibal crossing the Alps on a felt board. 

Mrs. Webb was an awesome teacher. I learned more grammar from her than from any English class I ever took.  My empathy is with you and your family with hopes of you finding peace through this time.

Mrs. Webb was a fantastic teacher. I enjoyed my 4 years of Latin with her very much. Sending thoughts and prayers to her and your family.

Mrs. Webb was one of my favorite teachers. I took latin for four years and my little sister also had her for a year. Mrs. Webb always had a way of telling stories and making you feel like you were there. I remember she always wore the most colorful earrings. It's like she had a theme for each holiday or season. Every time i see earrings like hers at the store i think of her. I developed a love of latin because of her. I remember our latin club "romecoming" was always a lot of fun. She also introduced me to Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series. Mrs. Webb wasn't just a teacher, she was a support system and an ear for everyone that needed it. I will keep her in my prayers

She was a magical teacher and greatly inspired me to become one. Prayers for your family during this time.

Mrs Webb was instrumental to my high school education. She improved my understanding of English grammar. As someone who has written stories her whole life, this skill gets used on the daily. Her felt stories of the Aeneid sparked my lifelong love of Classic mythology. Her belief in me, that I was one of her best and most capable students, and her gentle and kind words that always lifted me up, particularly when I didn’t hear those words elsewhere. Mrs. Webb is one of the teachers I think of with the fondest memories, and my heart breaks that she is losing her battle now. Hugs to you and your family in this difficult time. She epitomizes everything you could ever want a teacher to do, be, or inspire.

Colleen and I went all the way through school together, from first grade at Urban Park to receiving our degrees at North Texas. We even commuted to Denton together for a while. I have such fond memories of her, going all the way back to our little sewing club as second graders with Ann Lewis at Ann’s home and Mrs. Lewis as our teacher. I’m not sure how much we learned, but we surely had fun!
Colleen was such an excellent student and one of the smartest people I ever knew. I too was in Ms. Smoot’s Latin class, and let’s just say it all made sense to Colleen a lot more than it did to me! She must have been a wonderful teacher.

She was my most favorite teacher of all time. Truly the kindest soul. I loved that she let us paint the ceiling tiles to cool art. And her life stories were epic. I will never forget her. Prayers and heart hugs for your family.

Mrs. Webb was one of my favorite teachers of all time... She was so gentle and patient with everyone!


I am a long-time friend and part of her church family for many years. We went to Canyon Creek together and also Victory Baptist!! Colleen made me laugh always!! In her innocent ways, she could make anything funny. She has been missed so much since she and Jimmy have not been able to come to church for a long time because of Colleen’s illness! We also miss Jimmie greatly. They were a great loss for our church. We will continue to pray for peace and grace for all of you as you go through this great storm of life. Please tell Jimmy and Colleen we love them

I loved being in meetings with her where we would talk fashion and often plan to wear matching holiday sweaters!

I am so sorry to hear that your mother won't be with you much longer. She was a remarkable woman.
When I taught high school English, I remembered her as the kind of teacher that I aspired to be.
Mrs. Webb made learning Latin far more fun than anyone else could have. But when I think back on her classes, I also remember her as a consummate storyteller! Of course, she would tell us stories about Roman mythology with her felt board - always one of the best days of the semester. But we would also beg her to tell us stories about all of the simply bizarre situations she found herself in!
One that I particularly remember was about the time she choked on a noodle. Some very helpful teacher in the teacher's lounge slapped her on the back, and instead of coming up, the noodle slipped *down into her lung.* She developed this horrific cough and pain breathing and ended up in the ER. She tried to tell the ER doctors what happened but they wouldn't believe her, until finally they did an ultrasound and sure enough.... there was the noodle in her lung. (That doesn't sound like a funny story, but Mrs. Webb had us in stitches about it!)
I also remember the time that she helped us "rescue" a bird that had somehow gotten into the school! A friend and I watched this poor bird as it tried to escape... by flinging itself desperately into a window. It fell to the floor and we thought it was a goner. So of course, the teacher we went to tell about this was Mrs. Webb! We trapped the bird in a box and brought it to her room, where she discovered that a piece of its beak had broken and was hanging off - like when you have a painful hangnail. So Mrs. Webb got out her fingernail clippers and clipped off the strand! Then we all went outside and released the bird in the parking lot and it flew away... with just a bit of a wobble to its glide.
To me that incident tells so much about who Mrs. Webb was as a teacher and a person - compassionate.

Mrs. Webb was my all time favorite teacher. I was the nerd that came back after my first year of college and helped her move out of her classroom when she retired because she was just my favorite! I still have the book about Pompeii that she gave me when I helped her move!
We heard stories anywhere from naked people on trains, flaming doritos, the swamp under Smith, a plane crash, all the way to a substitute teacher that drank too much cough syrup. She taught me that “if you don’t ask, they can’t say no” (in regards to making sure her classroom was always decorated and painted.) She’s the funniest and coolest person, and it was a pleasure to learn from her.  Amare

All of us who were on the Newman Smith faculty with your mother share fond memories of her amazing sense of humor and her dedication to her students.

I will always remember what a great sense of humor your mom had. When I worked with her at Newman Smith I enjoyed talking to her because she was so much fun. I also remember a wonderful Christmas party she hosted for department chairs at her house, and Dr. Blanton, our principal, arrived an hour early and she was nowhere near ready, but it all worked out and we all had a great time.

Your mother is one of my favorite teachers! I have vivid memories of her felt board... her stories of Carthage, Troy and the birth of Rome. You and your family will be in my prayers

 I can still remember being in classes with her at WW Samuell and how smart she was and pretty too. Fond memories. Prayers for your family.


Mrs Webb was my rock all the way through high school. I stayed with Latin all four years so I could continue to have her as my teacher. I felt safe in her classroom and I always knew I was welcome regardless of what was going on. As a young gay man, she provided that safe space to be for me. I could never come up with the proper words to describe all that she means to me and how much her love supported me.
My favorite story that she would tell is the hot chips incident. Since she didn’t/wouldn’t cook, she used the oven for chip storage. I believe it was Mr Webb didn’t realize and turned the oven on to preheat. She opened the door later and hot chips flew out everywhere! Ruined the linoleum. Still makes me laugh to recall her telling that story.
Im sure I will come up with more thoughts later, but wanted to drop this much for now.

I am saddened to learn this about my college roommate, Colleen. We have tried to keep up with each other over all these years. I remember she really liked one of my dresses, and she would ask to borrow it when she had a special date she wanted to impress.
One thing I learned as I got to know her, is that she was so smart!
I am praying for all of you who love Colleen.

Your mother was truly a once in a lifetime kind of person. I wouldn't be where I am today without her.

Your mom saved my high school experience. She is one of my favorite teachers. I knew then she was resilient, strong, and wise. I appreciate her so much more now that I am on the other side of high school

This breaks my heart! I heavily attribute her Latin class and mentoring of my child to his success today as he finishes up his PhD. Mrs. Ellen Colleen Webb was the BEST teacher. I am so sorry for your loss of this wonderful woman.

Ron and I went to Victory Baptist Church (when we lived in Texas) with Colleen and Jimmy. She was always a delight to be around. We are so sad to hear of her illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with Colleen, Jimmie, you and the rest of your family

Mrs. Webb was a great person with a huge heart and an incredibly loving soul. I am thinking of you and praying for you all. Sending hugs and love to you and your family. She will be greatly missed by many.

 We were in many classes together for the 3 years of HS. Such a beautiful and sweet young lady.

Mrs. Webb changed my life for the better. I am sad that she will no longer be blessing lives in this world, but those in heaven get to enjoy her now. 

Mrs. Webb was my Latin teacher for two years in high school. The Latin, I’m sorry to say I don’t recall much, but what I do remember is the most epic and hilarious stories she told. The golden rug covering her car on the highway. The flaming Doritos shooting out of the oven. She knew how to spin stories in such an engaging way. I only knew a tiny fraction of who she is but just from that bit I always knew she was someone special. Mrs. Webb, you are a legend. I will pray for you & your family.

I taught World History at Newman Smith while she taught Latin. I always liked your Mom. We used to chat about Rome. I enjoyed her wit and humor.
Hugs and prayers for her and the family,

I can’t be more appreciative of Mrs. Webb. She was one of the very best in all of my school years. She was candid about the challenges that she faced but she was determined to stay in the classroom as she proudly wore her smile knowing the difference she was making. She knew it was worth it. We had many conversation about teaching Latin. Oh how I enjoyed those moments! So many nuggets. I don’t know where I’d be today if it weren’t for her. Many of us are greatly indebted to her many selfless years of teaching. Lifting up prayers for you all.

So sorry to know about her death . I remember her as a very sweet person.

Your mother inspired my life's work. I am continuing the good fight to keep Latin alive, as is her other former student, Donald H. Kim . At the time of our Latin Club Banquet my senior year (1997), she named me "Most Likely to Become a Latin Teacher"...I still have that certificate. She was so very funny and creative. She inspired us to have fun and still learn. You and I both will probably never understand the full impact of her life on mine. You all will be very much in my prayers.

Colleen was always beautiful in every way. We shared junior high and high school and were on the drill team together.  My favorite memories were riding back and forth to school and drill team practices with her and Ann all those years as we enjoyed all the laughter and giggles of being teenage girls.  She was always one of the best!  
My prayers for all of her dear family.  


OBITUARY

Colleen Webb

March 17, 1947 – November 21, 2021

Sparkman Funeral Home & Cremation Services

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