ForeverMissed
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Rebel Webster passed away February 8, 2021, in Dallas as a result of heart failure. Rebel was born July 22, 1959 to L.D. “Red” Webster and Frankie Dell (Green) Webster in Dallas, Texas.

She attended The Lamplighter School, The Hockaday School and graduated Salutatorian of the Class of 1978 from Hillcrest High School. Rebel graduated from Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1981. She was a member of Phi Mu sorority.

Rebel married Gordon Lee Law of Dallas, Texas in 1981 and they had a daughter, Savannah Star Law. They divorced in 1989. She later married Michael Alan Webb of Corpus Christi, Texas on September 20, 2002 and they lived happily in Dallas.

She was pre-deceased by her parents and older sister Lydia Green. She is survived by husband Michael, daughter Savannah Star Law; grandson Elijah Addison Best and niece Misty (Green) Nedrow of Austin, Texas.

A determined equestrian, she spent her youth traveling across Texas with her father competing in horse shows. She established herself and her horses as elite competitors in western dressage, equitation and horsemanship in youth and junior competitions – amassing hundreds of first place ribbons and trophies and voluminous championship buckles and Best in Show honors.

Rebel was an extraordinarily talented writer and successful business communications professional. Her love for writing sprang naturally as her father was sports editor at the Dallas Dispatch (which became the Dallas Times Herald) and then Vice President of Public Relations for Lone Star Steel. Her grandfather was the editor of a local newspaper in west Texas.

Rebel began her career in radio, writing advertising copy and managing promotions at KMGC 102.9 FM, and like her father turned her talents to public relations at Martha Tiller Public Relations agency and eventually leading PR and communications at The Dallas Arboretum.

Her exacting standards and leadership capabilities were further acknowledged by her tenure as Executive Director of the Dallas Ad League and as Governor for the Tenth District of the American Advertising Federation.

Rebel spent nearly a decade as senior communications counsel to The Southland Corporation/7-Eleven, Inc./7-Eleven Japan - creating and implementing domestic and global public relations, community relations, and crisis programs across multiple departments and service lines. It was in this role she received once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to write for former South African President Nelson Mandela as well as activist and civil rights leader Coretta Scott King.

Rebel’s independent work as a strategic communications consultant and freelance writer included domestic and international clients such as Anheuser-Busch, Blockbuster, CHRISTUS Health and CHRISTUS Health Foundation, Half Price Books, Jaguar of America, Jones Lang LaSalle, Wienerschnitzel, TXU Energy and many others.

For Rebel, writing was a joy. But her true happiness manifested in the form of gardening. Her love and talent for nurturing and orchestrating God’s botanic creations was His remarkable gift to her. The joy she experienced in tending and creating beauty with those simple treasures was her expression of reverence and thankfulness to Him.

Rebel’s horticultural prowess earned her an invitation to work with the Northwood Hills Homeowners Association as Beautification Chair. Charged with enhancing and smartening the entrances and medians within the 1,200-household non-profit HOA. She soon became President and launched the first full color, sponsor-supported newsletter and led the annual Fourth of July celebration and parade. She served for nine years, retiring in 2016.

Above all, Rebel loved and cherished her daughter Savannah and grandson Eli. She supported them both through extensive volunteerism and leadership service in their schools and extracurricular activities. She strived to give them her very best. Her incessant mantra to both – “Be honest. Be fair. Be strong. Be kind.,” was not only her guidance for their growth and success, but how she endeavored, so very hard, to live her life.

 “A force of nature” has often been applied in attempts to describe Rebel Webster. But it does not adequately describe the outwardly complex, yet refreshingly simple person she was.

  • Her strength: originated from her faith in God.
  • Her drive:  arose from her love of Savannah, Eli and Michael and determined to help them be their very best in the eyes of God.
  • Her spirit: resulted from a childlike perspective and joy at the wonders of God’s creations.
  • Her kindness:  was inspired by the grace she received from Christ and personified in her relationship with all animals, especially her dogs.

Rebel’s was a life lived well. Her natural beauty enthralled those around her. Her words, wisdom and wit – written or spoken – comforted, encouraged and entertained those in her orbit. She tended souls as effortlessly as flowers, and all blossomed in her wake. Strangers, acquaintances, neighbors, friends, and family were fortunate to know her. Fortunate to be inspired by her. Beyond blessed to have loved her.
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A private memorial service will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021, 10 a.m. at Spring Valley United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Due to COVID the service will be streamed live at www.svumc.org/in-memoriam.

Memorial donations may be made in support of Rebel’s family at GoFundMe or in her memory to DFW Beagle Buddies Rescue, or the National Parks Foundation.

December 6, 2021
December 6, 2021
Michael, Savannah and Elijah. I am so sorry to just find out today that she has passed. Rebel was my cousin. Today I was trying again to contact her because I have a package of photos and news clippings that my mother had kept. I've been the family genealogist for many years. I know Uncle Red was interested in it too. I would love to contact you Savannah and send you the photos and papers. You can email me at southwestdreaming@gmail.com I have notified my two older sisters, Judy Rindt and Gael Golden and our cousin Michael Hilger. We are so sorry for your loss. I regret I was not able to get in touch with her but I would love to connect with you and share what I've gathered on the Webster and Hardin family ancestors. Jean Saunders Gillmore
Thank you for all the beautiful stories with the photos. It has helped me to know her adult life. I know Red and Frankie would be so proud of what she has accomplished and the lovely woman she became.
March 7, 2021
March 7, 2021
Rebel was beautiful, smart, talented, upbeat, creative, generous and most of all funny. So funny. You always laughed when you were with Rebel. She hosted great parties, was always helping other people and had great advice (even if you didn't take it). She had so much enthusiasm for living. I can't believe she is gone.
March 7, 2021
March 7, 2021
We are deeply grateful for all of your thoughts, prayers and offers of
encouragement and support. This has been both inspiring and comforting during a very difficult time. As importantly, It has been a wonderful reminder of the lives touched by Rebel, and the wonderful people and blessings the Lord places in our lives whether we know they are there or not. God’s grace, peace and blessings to you all.

Michael, Savannah and Elijah
March 3, 2021
March 3, 2021
I was very sorry to hear of Rebel's passing. In '72 or '73 she and I had become friends, although we spent less time together after starting high school. But I will always remember how she took me to my very first Cowboys game. Her parents had season tickets I think, and one time she asked me to go. It was brutally cold, but she was prepared for that, and had brought blankets and a thermos of hot chocolate. I had a blast, and she taught me a thing or two about cheering for your team! I'll miss you, Rebel.
February 25, 2021
February 25, 2021
I can truly say that the many, many years that I knew Rebel are some of the most entertaining times. If we weren't trying to figure out how to get the "Cotillion" street sign off of the pole in East Dallas, we were enjoying a refreshing beverage poolside while Big Daddy Red entertained us all.
Rebel and I didn't know at the time when we met, that we would end up sorority sisters and friends for life. The Spring break trips to Puerto Vallarta, the Wednesday nights watching William Power and Myrna Loy in the Thin Man movies, and hoping to be as cool and sophisticated as they were and have our own ASTA puppy dog. We became "Omar the Tent Maker" and "Lawrence of Arabia" and stayed that way for life. Michael, my thoughts and prayers are with you Eli, and Savannah. I will miss my dear friend but will be glad for all of the wonderful Crazy memories we had.
February 24, 2021
February 24, 2021
One of my dearest Rebel memories is one she always remained mortified of - a marathon paella party in her spectacular backyard, that went on in to the wee hours after her oven stopped working, forcing some joyful kitchen adventures to get it done in ways only Rebel could make possible, topped off by mosquito torches that literally went skyrocketing. And Rebel, in ways only Rebel could, made the absolutely most of it. It truly was a perfectly Rebel kind of night, and it is one I continue to look on with great joy and delight.  She had a knack and a touch for humanity, was the true and original, consummate "old soul." And she was always 100% Rebel and true to herself. 

I know she will be missed greatly by her family that she loved so, and that I know loved her. Prayers from me and Marty for your peace and comfort. A very bright light has been taken from our plane, and now shines even more brightly if that's possible from above.

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Recent Tributes
December 6, 2021
December 6, 2021
Michael, Savannah and Elijah. I am so sorry to just find out today that she has passed. Rebel was my cousin. Today I was trying again to contact her because I have a package of photos and news clippings that my mother had kept. I've been the family genealogist for many years. I know Uncle Red was interested in it too. I would love to contact you Savannah and send you the photos and papers. You can email me at southwestdreaming@gmail.com I have notified my two older sisters, Judy Rindt and Gael Golden and our cousin Michael Hilger. We are so sorry for your loss. I regret I was not able to get in touch with her but I would love to connect with you and share what I've gathered on the Webster and Hardin family ancestors. Jean Saunders Gillmore
Thank you for all the beautiful stories with the photos. It has helped me to know her adult life. I know Red and Frankie would be so proud of what she has accomplished and the lovely woman she became.
March 7, 2021
March 7, 2021
Rebel was beautiful, smart, talented, upbeat, creative, generous and most of all funny. So funny. You always laughed when you were with Rebel. She hosted great parties, was always helping other people and had great advice (even if you didn't take it). She had so much enthusiasm for living. I can't believe she is gone.
Recent stories

Wonderful Words of Life

March 7, 2021
This particular song was one of Rebel’s favorites, Hymn number 600, dog-eared forever in her Methodist Hymnal. It is fitting that it is about words, the medium she wielded with dexterity and passion. These are the tools around which she built her career and also receive great joy helping others craft the exact phrase and message they wanted to share with others. People often asked her “please help me write this” or “this just isn’t saying what I want it to,” and more often than I can count, I would often ask her, “Rebel, I need a word.”

Wonderful Words of Life
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
All so freely given, wooing us to heaven.

Sweetly echo the Gospel call, wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify us forever.

March 7, 2021
“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:14

Rebel derived immense joy from being around children, especially the children at Northwood Hills Elementary, Eli’s school. She loved sharing her great passion for plants and flowers and gardening, teaching them what they do and especially, caring for them. She treasured the occasions when children would run to her in the hallway, the lunchroom, on the playground or in the vegetable garden, squealing her name, “Re-Re, Re-Re!”

The child in her heart connected deeply with them. Rebel admired the purity of children, their words, deeds and actions not yet affected by the pragmatic, often negative perspectives that come with adulthood. 

The Story of Re-Re

March 7, 2021
Used as Rebel’s ubiquitous nickname, many may not know the story behind “Re-Re,” [ray-ray] so it is shared here.

Longtime friends John and Shaun Mayner had two young boys, Jack and Zach, who loved when Aunt Rebel would visit or travel with them. Zach was the youngest and not yet in control of an extensive vocabulary, so he had difficulty saying “Rebel.” Trying his darnedest over and over, it still came out in various two-syllable combinations beginning with the letter “r.”  She finally said, “Just call me Aunt Re-Re!” It stuck. And has forever been her self-introduction to anyone under the age of ten.

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