Jane Elizabeth (Kern) Webb

Jane Elizabeth Kern Webb, 95, of Ivanhoe passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023 in Ivanhoe.

Jane was born in Palestine, Texas to Herman Carl Kern and Eula (Barkley) Kern on December 9, 1927. She was a product of the Wesleyan tradition. Her great-grandfather Woods was a circuit rider in the Methodist Protestant Church. She was baptized and later confirmed, at 7 years of age, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, on September 1, 1935.

She attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Here she was active in numerous campus activities which cumulated in her selection as a member of Cardinal Key, a national honor leadership society. Graduating in June of 1949, she joined the staff of First Methodist Church, Uvalde, Texas in the Southwest Texas Conference, Then at Bering Memorial Methodist Church, Houston, in the Texas Conference.

On completing her studies for a Master's Degree in Christian Education at Scarritt College in Nashville, Tennessee, Jane joined the staff of Polk Street Methodist Church in Amarillo, Texas, Northwest Texas Conference. In the spring of 1953 she was consecrated as a certified Director of Christian Education. She became a member of the staff of Trinity Methodist Church in Beaumont in the fall of 1959. She served as chairperson for the Directors of Christian Education in the Northwest Texas Conference, and elected as president of DCE's in Texas Conference while at Trinity.

In December of 1961, she resigned her position at Trinity. And on December 29, 1961, John and Jane were married in First Methodist Church, Palestine, Texas with Bishop Eugene Slater officiating. After the birth of their 3 children, John Mark in 1962, Jan Elizabeth in 1964 (deceased) and Michael in 1965, Jane returned to her chosen field of service in July 1967 as Director of Christian Education at North End Methodist Church in Beaumont. She was a working mother who managed to find time to work closely with their boys ... in Little League, served on the PTA Council and even some time for family camping (thanks to John's support and sharing of home duties). She had three grandsons, Jonathan, Stefan and Aaron; and two great grandchildren, Stefan and Claire.

During the 24 years Jane served at North End, the church relocated and was renamed, Wesley United Methodist Church. Here she served under eight senior pastors. In 1984, Jane was consecrated as a Diaconal Minister in the United Methodist Church. Her "beyond the local church" activities included Dean of Southeast Texas Leadership School, serving on the Beaumont District Committee on Ordained Ministry, member of the Texas Conference Commission on Education and later on the Board of Diaconal Ministry, elected the second time as president of the Texas Conference Christian Educators Fellowship. After retiring in 1992, she served on the Lufkin District Committee on Ordained Ministry.

On moving to Woodville, she and John became members of Woodville United Methodist Church.

Jane is preceded in death by her husband John Webb; parents, Herman Carl Kern and Eula (Barkley) Kern; and a daughter, Jan Elizabeth Webb.

A memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday January 21, 2023 at 11 am at the Woodville Global Methodist Church with Pastor Jon Thornsbury officiating. Visitation will be from 10am until time of service.

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