Mary Estus Jones Webb

Mary Estus Jones Webb (1924-1995) became Mayor-President of Baton Rouge in 1955 on the death of her husband, Jesse L. Webb, Jr. in a plane crash. She is the only woman so far to have served as Mayor of Baton Rouge.

Early life

Born in Columbia, Louisiana on May 14, 1924 to James Melton Jones and Hattie Estus Head. She married Jesse Lynn Webb and they had four children.

Tenure as Mayor-President

Her husband was only 29 when he was elected Mayor-President of Baton Rouge in 1952. Three years later, he died when the aircraft he was flying in crashed while on final approach at Lansing, Michigan. The City Council chose Mrs. Webb to serve as caretaker Mayor-President for the balance of her husband's term. She did not seek election in her own right in 1956.^[1]

Later years

She served as Sigma Pi Fraternity housemother at Louisiana State University for many years. Webb died on September 16, 1995 and was buried at Roselawn Cemetery in Baton Rouge.

References

1. Baton Rouge Advocate, Obituary. September 18, 1995