Anna Calbert Webster, 79, of Springfield, MO, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, March 27, 2015. She was born on September 10, 1935 to Robert and Lucille Calbert. Ann was a lifelong resident of Springfield and attended Greenwood Lab School. She attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in personnel and industrial management. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Ann was a multiple career person. After college, she joined the family chicken hatchery business. This was followed by a stint teaching at Draughan's Business College and a stint in banking. Ann next joined Deanie Smith and Mary Ann Ausburn to co-found Petit Point Junction, a successful needlework shop, and for ten years was a small business co-owner. Upon its sale, she joined Carol Jones Realty, where she earned the distinction of becoming a life member of the million dollar club, and qualified for the President's Club by virtue of being in the upper 5% of the sales staff. In 1991, Ann joined Commerce Bank of Springfield as the first real estate loan originator, representing Commerce Mortgage Company of Kansas City and Commerce Bank-Springfield. In 1995, Ann returned to Carol Jones Realtors. She left in 1998 and joined Murney Associates, Realtors. Ann was an active and passionate community volunteer. She was a charter member of the Junior League, one of the founders of the Girls Club, rising to president, and also rose through the ranks as a KOZK volunteer as she said, "from teleauction table arranger to chairman of the board." Ann also served on the United Way board, the Salute to the Performing Arts Committee, the Inaugural Committee for the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, and chairman of the board for the Springfield Botanical Gardens and Close Memorial Park. She served on the Industrial Development Authority Board and the Mayors Commission on Human Rights. Ann was a leader and catalyst for change who gave tirelessly of herself in pursuit of the betterment of Springfield. She is survived by three sons; William Thomas Webster (Julie), and their children Thomas (his daughter Claire), Aubrey, and Sam; Timothy Scott Webster (Kristin) and their children Anna Kate, Grace, and Tommy; Ernest Jack Webster III, and his children E.J. and Travis; two daughters, Mary Nan Knowlton (Dr. Norm); and Cyndi Love Berry (Troy), and her children Brian (Rhena and their children Connor and Sidney), Jeffrey, Joseph, and Kyle Love; nieces and nephews, Teresa Schroeder, Bo Calbert, and Jenny McDaris; and several great nieces and nephews. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Robert W. "Bob" Calbert, and son-in-law, Gary Love. Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 3, 2015 at 11:30 am in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral home. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 2, from 6-8 pm. A private family burial will be held at a later date in Maple Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield Botanical Gardens/Close Memorial Park, 1923 N. Weller, Springfield, MO 65803, or the Springfield Little Theatre, 311 E Walnut St, Springfield, MO 65806.
