Lillan Webb Obituary from Crowell Brothers Funeral Home: Essie Lillian (Hicks) Webb, Age 87, former Chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission and Mayor Emeritus of Norcross, passed away ---- after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents Earl Oran Hicks and Essie Lillian (Hughes) Hicks, husband James Howard Webb, Jr. and daughter Judy Webb Stewart. A life-long resident of Norcross, she was a member of Norcross First United Methodist Church. After graduation from Norcross High School as Valedictorian in 1945, she attended Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville. She is survived by sons David F. Webb (Rosalie); John T. Webb (Anne) of Norcross; a daughter Anne Webb Satterlee of Vero Beach, FL; and grandchildren Jennifer Webb Brooks (Danny), Travis Webb, Holly Stewart, and Jack Satterlee. Webb achieved many firsts, becoming the first woman elected to the Norcross City Council in 1972, then Mayor of Norcross in 1974, serving in that office until she was elected Chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission, becoming the first to serve two consecutive terms from1984 to 1992. She was the first woman and the first Republican to serve in that office. She provided leadership during a period of explosive growth. She helped initiate the SPLOST 1 - cent sales tax that helped fund the largest building program in the county’s history that included the Justice and Administration Center, the Gwinnett County Detention Center, the Civic Center, and guided Gwinnett County to AAA bond rating, the best in Georgia. She oversaw the largest expansion of Parks and Recreation facilities, creation of the Recycling Bank of Gwinnett County, construction of 8 new libraries, creation of the 911 Emergency Response System, and preservation of historic sites, including the $3 million renovation of the historic original county Courthouse in Lawrenceville. Webb held many political offices during her career, including President of the Georgia Municipal Association, President of the Gwinnett Municipal Association, and she was the governor’s Appointee to the Department of Community Affairs, serving as Chairman. She served on the Atlanta Regional Commission and Electric Cities of Georgia; the United States Department of Energy-National Energy Extension Service Advisory Board; appointed to State of Georgia Energy and Aging Consortium; Chairman, Community Development Block Grant Policy Committee; served as a Director, National League of Cities-Women in Municipal Government, and as a Director of the Chamber of Commerce. She was a charter member of the Gwinnett Republican Party, organized the Gwinnett County Republican Women, and was active in the League of Women Voters. She was a Georgia delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1972 and 1976. In 1995, Webb qualified without opposition and was elected Mayor of Norcross again, serving in that office until 2007. She initiated two Downtown Development Authority Boards in 1982 and again in 2002. She promoted the city’s growth balanced with preservation of its historic buildings, and is credited with saving the iconic train depot from demolition. Lillian enjoyed working in her garden, traveling, and reading. She was an avid supporter of the Norcross schools, often reading to students in the elementary schools. She oversaw the annexation of the new Norcross High School into the city, helping ensure doubled city/county police and fire protection. She was a volunteer with Doctors Without Borders, making several trips to the Dominican Republic to bring dental care to children. She was a Charter Member of the Gwinnett Historical Society, an active member of the Norcross Woman’s Club for 35 years, served as President of Annandale and as a Director of the Gwinnett Hospital Authority. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 16, 2016 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes and Crematory, Norcross, GA. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Norcross United Methodist Church, 2500 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross, GA 30071. Interment will be in the family plot at H.G. Wright Cemetery, Norcross, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements entrusted to Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes and Crematory, 5051 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross, GA 30092, 770-448-5757. Please sign the online guestbook at www.crowellbrothers.com