Glenna "Johnnie" Houck Webb

Glenna “Johnnie” Houck Webb, 93, of Ellerbe, NC, left this world in peace - lifted up by the love and support of her family - on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Born on May 21, 1931, to Gurna Park Houck and Flora Gentry Houck, Johnnie treasured the memories she had of growing up as the youngest child of a pioneer Ashe County family. She earned her affectionate nickname from her beloved brother, Wallace. As the only male sibling in the family home, he had wished for a little brother before her birth but was just as happy to receive a little sister and simply call her “Johnnie” 

After a single trip to Ellerbe to visit family friends in 1949, Johnnie had local businessman William Ralph Webb madly in love. They were married on July 7, 1950, in Ashe County and returned to Ellerbe to build a life together. Johnnie has always said that Ralph “made her feel cherished.” She gave birth to William “Bill” Ralph Webb, Jr., her “proudest life accomplishment” and devoted son till the end, on February 19, 1953. 

Johnnie was an undeniably dedicated wife, mother and homemaker who took pride in being a part of the Ellerbe community. Many a delectable dish emerged from her kitchen and countless examples of her intrinsic sense of style and artistic skills are reflected throughout her warm and welcoming home. Her granddaughters and great-grandchildren loved every minute spent at “Mimi’s House” growing up. Johnnie’s garden is a testament to her incredible ability to find just the right combination of color, texture and pattern to spark joy in anyone who came to visit. Over the years, that same garden has also served as a perfect place of respite for the wide variety of animals that she cared for and loved so very much.

Johnnie’s family and Johnnie herself always received countless compliments on her unique and seemingly effortless manner of dress and how it set the bar in terms of quiet elegance. She was a graceful person in every sense of the word. She valued creativity, a good sense of humor and a solid sense of self. Each season of her life was defined by the sincere value she placed on every act of human kindness bestowed upon her – no matter how small – and a deep desire to uphold gentleness, gratitude and hope as principles by which we all might strive to live.

Johnnie was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, and her siblings: Winnie Houck, Wallace Houck, Mary Nell Marsh, Kathleen Gentry and Clinton Park Houck.

Surviving to cherish her legacy are her son, Bill Webb, and wife Debbie of Ellerbe; granddaughters Olivia Webb (Brett) of Ellerbe, Jenna Webb of West End and Holly Webb of Carthage; great-grandchildren Larkin Wallace Webb and Adeline Basil Todd; and special friend Danny Hawks.

Respects will be paid to Johnnie with two private, family ceremonies - a final tribute to both her proud mountain heritage and her strong Ellerbe roots. She will be laid to rest at Mount Pleasant Church Cemetery in Ellerbe and Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery in West Jefferson.

All expressions of sympathy are humbly appreciated and memorial donations may be sent to: Ellerbe Rescue Squad, PO Box 148, Ellerbe, NC 28338; and Richmond County Hospice, 1119 US Hwy. 1 North, Rockingham, NC, 28379 or online at www.richmondcountyhospice.com.

The family would like to extend their deep gratitude for the compassionate care Johnnie received at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital - Richmond and Richmond County Hospice, as well as the heartfelt assistance provided by Mabel Brewington, Shelia Gomez, Cody Morrison and Hunter Smith during Johnnie’s final days at home.