Stanley Moses Webb

OBITUARYStanley Moses Webb of Detroit, MI, peacefully passed away May 6, 2017 at the age of 87 after a forty-five year partnership with Judith Rose Hunter. He was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, January 25, 1930. Proceeded in death by parents Dr. Walter Webb, Mrs. Florence (Jamison), brother Dr. Walter (Johnnetta), sister Delores (John) de Jongh. Survived by sons; Stanley Michael (Nancy), Quentin Ames (Lorraine), daughter; Marie Florence, granddaughter; Maria Cynthia, nieces and nephews; John (Cecil), Stanley (Gwen) and Sydney (LaMae) de Jongh; Lori, Walter, Tamara and Robin Webb, members of the Turner family, along with many friends and neighbors.Stanley was raised in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and returned to the mainland with his Mother and older siblings after the unexpected death of his Father, settling in Detroit. He attended Hartford Avenue Baptist Church with "Mother Webb", graduated from Northwestern High School, explored various job and life options. He joined the U.S. Air Force serving as Aircraft Radio Operator stationed in George, flying in the European theater. He was a Deputy, Wayne County Sherriff's Department while attending Eastern Michigan University earning Bachelor and Master Degrees. He began a 31-year career with Detroit Public Schools as a teacher, was promoted to Director, School-Community Relations. Over the years, Stanley was a liaison with President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration; a facilitator for the U.S. Supreme Court Appointed Desegregation Committee for Detroit Public Schools; and a participant on many of the City's and Special Interest committees dealing with the issues of the times. His dedication to the students, parents and staff of Region 7 was always foremost. He continued his civic engagement throughout his career, as an activist on behalf of the residents of the City of Detroit with the purpose of improving the educational environment, goals and ideals for the Students of Detroit Public Schools. Stanley received many acknowledgements and award highlighted with UNCF Distinguished Support and the "Spirit of Detroit" from Mayor Coleman Young. Over the years, Stanley found time for political activities working on many campaigns of those seeking office as well as various initiatives that would benefit Michigan and Detroiters, often traveling within State and as far as California, Colorado and Washington, D.C. where he found his Father's gravesite in Arlington Cemetery. We traveled to High School and College graduations, birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, holidays, visiting friends, enumerable weekend trips (often with the dog) and sadly, for illness and final good-byes.Stanley enjoyed being a Gardener-Koi pond era; Artistic Welder-Wall hanging and miniature figures of copper, iron and steel; photographer-pictures of everyone and everything were some of his joys. After retiring in 1997, snow became too much and we moved to Las Vegas in '02 at the urging of fellow Detroiters who had escaped to the warmth of the desert. It wasn't the tropics, but it was warm and didn't have mosquitos. Stanley's wishes were, as in life, no formal service; his ashes will be scattered at a future date and place as we celebrate him home. Our family is grateful for the condolences, but decline flowers in lieu of donations to UNCF or the Southern Poverty Law Center.Remembering My PapaI got all A's (and one B) this semester. I'm saying this because Papa's constant support of my good grades played a huge role in my education. He taught me how important it is. Papa was and always will be my best friend and one of the most important men in my life. How lucky am I to have grown up with a silly, intelligent and caring Grandfather and I got to call him all mine. He taught me to love different types of music, how to laugh at yourself, how hard work pays off and when I got my license "to drive home safely". Not many people get to call their Papa one of their best friends, but I could and still can.It's hard to explain just how great my relationship with my Grandfather was. Every conversation was full of questioning everything and lots of laughter. He always wanted me to do my best and succeed in whatever I was doing. Papa constantly helped me achieve my dreams, always lending a hand wherever I went-like the time I was 16 and went to NYC for the summer.When I got a bit older, I could help more around the house. This meant working on 'projects' every weekend. My favorite moments were when Papa, Judy and I would setup for the holidays outside and get the house ready for all the spectators. I found much joy in seeing my Papa light up when kids came by the house during Halloween and were entranced by all the lights. I truly think that was one of his favorite things as well. Papa's love of photography was a hidden treasure. His camera always had pictures of the day documented and it was so interesting to look through months after those days had passed. There are so many moments over the years documented because of his love of photography.I have so many of your voice mails saved. You were such a funny guy, I was always laughing at the little notes or voicemails that you left me and often shared them with friends so they could listen as well, because they were just too good not to share. Thank you for always greeting me as Mariaaaaa!!!!!! I don't think anyone will ever compare to the welcome I always received when I walked in the house or when I called you. It always made me feel so loved. I could be myself around you, Papa. I always said what was on my mind and even if we didn't agree, which was rare, we had great discussions about numerous topics. You shaped me into the person I am today by always having me question everything and learning how to fix a house by just kind of learning as I went. I loved doing projects for you, even when they consisted of driving 45 minutes across Las Vegas to go someplace for 5 minutes and then driving 45 minutes back home.Painted Paradise is my home. That's why I spent so much time with you there. I loved pulling up to the gate and seeing you sit in your wheelchair waiting for me to come inside and help around the house or enjoying the day talking outside and doing yard work. Even though it was grueling at moments, I loved seeing the smile on your face when I would chase the little kiddos with the mechanical mouse. It's something I'm never going to forget. You were the absolute BEST Papa ever. Ever, ever, ever. I'm glad I was your only grandchild because you were too good to share muahahaha. I will forever booty shake to Pitbull's music and dance to Santana. Because of you, my appreciation of music was cultivated by your suggestions!!! I love you so so so much, I miss you every day. Las Vegas won't be the same and I don't expect it to be. You were one of the main reasons I came home. YA BUT, will always be a sentence transition because that is just how life has to be, because it's so funny. I could write a novel about how much I love my Papa. He was an incredible man. I Thank you for supporting my dance career, 75% of my dance life would not be possible without your help in my pursuits to get to these places. I miss him so, but my love for him is eternal. I am your number one fan, Papa. I will always talk highly about you and I think about you constantly. I thank my lucky stars I was blessed with such a strong Grandfather figure. His presence in my life shaped me into the person I am today. I am forever thankful. You are and will always be, as Stevie Wonder said, "the sunshine of my life", I love you Papa.Your favorite Grandchild Mariaaaaa!!!

Stanley Moses Webb

January 25, 1930 - May 6, 2017