Bettye Webb

Bettye (Wright) Webb passed away peacefully, with her son and daughter by her side, on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer, MA.  The daughter of Eugene Wright and Bertha (Banks) Wright Desmond, Bettye was born in Chicago, IL, before moving to Agawam, MA.  She graduated with honors from Agawam High School and earned her Bachelor’s degree from New Hampshire College.  Bettye began her 35-year Springfield Library career as a Circulation Desk Clerk and an Assistant Librarian in the Children’s Room.  She became the first African American Branch Supervisor, where she managed two branch libraries, and the Bookmobile Service.  Along the way, Bettye was recognized by her peers and the city of Springfield.  She received the Ubora Award from the Springfield Museums Association and the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award, along with citations from MA Gov. Michael Dukakis, the MA House of Representatives, the MA State Senate and the Springfield City Council.  Mayor Mary Hurley declared the ‘Bettye W. Webb Day’.  Bettye was a proud member of St. John’s Congregational Church.  She was a past president and archivist of the Springfield Chapter of Girl Friends, Inc., and a charter member and second president of the Greater Springfield Chapter of The Links Inc.  A special thank you is extended to her St. John’s family for elevating her spiritually for over 80 years.  Bettye was pre-deceased by “her thunderbolt,” the love of her life, her husband of 58 years, Cleveland “Skee” Webb, her brother, Robert Wright, and her sister-in-law, Alice Wright.  She is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-love, Schuyler and Adriane Webb, and Kyle and Lisa Webb;  her grandchildren, Tarik, Kayla (Lamar), Amir (Nia), Kiara, Nia, and Naja;  six great-grandchildren;  her sister-in-law, Luora “Barbara” (Graves) Webb;  and many other relatives.  Visitation is 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Congregational Church, 45 Hancock St., Springfield, with Memorial Ceremonies presented by both The Girl Friends, Inc. and The Links, Inc. at 11 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11:30.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bettye’s name can be made to the Friends of the Springfield Library, c/o Director’s Office, Springfield City Library, 220 State St., Springfield, MA. 01103.  In memory of Bettye’s commitment to the power of reading, we ask those attending the services to bring a new children’s picture book to be donated to the Mason Square Library.

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