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2 Corinthians 12:9-11 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Dr. Randall Joseph Webb, 72, was born in Natchitoches, to the late Joseph Wilburn Webb and Narvis Almand Webb on March 20, 1943. He lived a life of service. He was called from that life on Nov. 18, 2015 at his home in Shreveport. He was serving until the end. He found that serving others through education was his passion. As he always said, he was in the business of changing lives. He was a loving husband to his wife, Brenda, of 44 years. His love for his children and their families always brought him joy. Dr. Webb was the longestserving president in the history of Northwestern State; holding the position for 18 1/2 years, from July 1, 1996 to Dec. 31, 2014. He was honored with the title of President Emeritus in May 2015. Northwestern State was the first public university in Louisiana to gain 100 percent accreditation of eligible academic programs and had the largest graduating classes in the university’s history during Dr. Webb’s tenure. He expanded the university’s outreach by spearheading the development at NSU of the largest electronic education network of any university in Louisiana and oversaw the first two capital campaigns at NSU, which raised more than $65 million to enhance the university. He was named to the Southland Conference Hall of Honor earlier this year. He was a member of the Committee One Hundred in Shreveport, as well as a Rotary Member, formally in Natchitoches and later in Shreveport. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Webb of Shreveport, LA; his daughters, Tamara Gatewood and husband Reggie of McKinney, Texas and Lauren Simokaitis and husband Nick of Crestwood, Mo.; grandchildren, Tyler Joseph Gatewood, Ava Michelle Gatewood, Nicholas Adam Simokaitis, and Benjamin Webb Simokaitis; his mother-in-law, Louise Williams; and brother-in-law Joel Williams and wife Sylvia. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Sam Holland, Jimmy Berry, Chris Maggio, Greg Burke, Wayne McCullen, Robert Crew, Reggie Gatewood and Nick Simokaitis. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Randy Moffett, Jerry Pierce, Jimmy Long and his Monday lunch group, “The Gerousia.” Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23 at Prather Coliseum on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, with Sen. Gerald Long and the Rev. Thomas Rush officiating. A private family graveside will follow at a later time in the American Cemetery in Natchitoches. The family will receive friends on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 3-6 p.m. in Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Dr. Randall and Brenda Webb Endowed Scholarship, Office of University Advancement, 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71497
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