September 30, 2003
Clarence Thomas "C.T." Webster, a Salisbury city councilman and retired DuPont supervisor, died Wednesday of cancer complications and a heart attack at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. He was 69.
"C.T. had a unique way of expressing himself. In this day of designer labels, one for him would read, `individually crafted,'" said the Rev. J. Harvey Dixon, a friend and pastor of Salisbury's Faith Community Church, where Mr. Webster occasionally attended. "What he said wasn't always accepted well, but he said it anyway.
"He was always quick to speak his mind. At times he got in trouble for being so outspoken. Even afterwards, he could call the person up whose feelings he'd hurt and say, `I hope you're feeling all right.'"
Born in Salisbury, Mr. Webster attended Wicomico County public schools. He retired last year after working 40 years at a DuPont plant in Seaford, Del.
A contracts department supervisor, he also headed the giveaway of the nylon byproduct that Eastern Shore nonprofit organizations used for making stuffed animals and pillows.
Mr. Webster had served on the council since 2000 and was on the ballot, seeking re-election, in today's city primary.
Attending what was to be his last council meeting Sept. 9, Mr. Webster wore an umpire's mask -- his humorous response to an incident after the previous meeting when a councilwoman and the mayor's daughter filed assault charges against each other over a fight in the parking lot.
"I wasn't sure what the proper attire was this evening," he said. It also befit his love of sports. As Mr. Dixon noted, "He loved any game that had the word `ball' in the title."
Services were held yesterday.
Mr. Webster is survived by two sons, Richard C. Webster and Anthony T. Webster, both of Salisbury; two daughters, Donna Martin of Salisbury and Mary Jo Webster of Claxton, Ga.; and seven grandchildren. His wife of 35 years, the former Ellen Ridgely, died two years ago.
