Irma Lea Webb

Irma Lea Nunn Webb, 99 years of age, passed away peacefully at her home in Bluefield, VA on August 20, 2020. 

Irma was born during the Great Depression on January 2, 1921 in Switchback, McDowell County, WV to father, Woodrow Wilson Nunn, a coal miner and mother, Alice Roxanne Shaw Nunn. She is predeceased by four siblings: Joseph Nunn, Woodrow Nunn, Minnie Poff, and Margie Pruett. 

Irma was a modern day renaissance woman. After completing a12 year high school program in 10 years, she started her career as storekeeper for Pocahontas Fuel Company.  She subsequently became a qualified nurse but decided nursing was not her life’s calling.  Instead, World War II was going on and she joined the Navy where she achieved a First Class Storekeeper Rank.   She was the leading Class Petty Officer in her division.

After marrying Nathan Webb in 1948, Irma began a new career as a mother and business owner when they started a television sales and repair shop.

Irma then pursued a teaching degree in Elementary Education at Bluefield State College. Her plan was to write children’s literature and books, but after graduating in 1965, she accepted a teaching position at Pocahontas Elementary School in VA.  As they say, “the rest is history”.  Irma was bitten by the teaching bug. She taught for 6 years before becoming a principal at Falls Church and subsequently a supervising principal.  Irma earned her Masters Degree from East Tennessee State University.  She published many articles and wrote several educational curricula and was very proud to have run a GED program for a number of years.    Details of Irma’s 30-year fascinating educational career may be found at scholar.lib.vt.edu

Irma is survived by her daughter, Sara Webb O’Neal, Milledgeville, GA; sons, Steve and wife Sukyo Webb, Warrenton VA,  Marvin and wife Vernelle Webb, Milledgeville, GA;  and Timothy Webb, KY.  She is survived by four grandchildren: Alex Webb of WV, Jo Ann and husband Ryan O’Connor of El Paso Texas, Calvin Webb of Bluefield, VA and Alexandria Webb. Great grandchildren Travis and wife Sarah Webb, Matthew Webb, Meredith Hill, Payton Hill, Colin O’Connor and Claire O’Connor, survive her. She was honored to have two great-great grand children: Riley Webb and Evian Webb.

No public service is planned.