Larue Webb Compton

Mrs. Compton, Room 2, Thunderbolt Elementary

The last of Four Dedicated Sisters Passes away at 93

Larue Compton was the oldest of the four sisters. She was often mistaken for one of her other two sisters living in Savannah. Both elementary teachers like Larue, Irene Cook and Lucy Osborne Horton taught at May Howard Elementary on Wilmington Island. Together the three taught hundreds of children in Chatham County the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. The fourth sister, Carlene Gose, taught in Letcher County, Kentucky. Together the four sisters have impacted the lives of students over almost four decades because of their passion for teaching and love of learning. As with her sisters, Larue’s legacy can be seen in the lives of the students she has nurtured throughout her 34 years of teaching.


Larue Web Compton passed away at Buckingham South Assisted Living in Savannah, Georgia on Friday, January 29, 2021. Larue was born November 2,1927 in Letcher County, Kentucky to Critt and Ora Ellen Webb. Raised in the community of Mayking, KY., Larue attended high school in the nearby town of Whitesburg. Aspiring to teach young children, Larue started her teaching career before graduating college. Under an emergency wartime certificate, Larue taught her first class in 1946/47 in Kona, KY. before graduating from Pikeville College in 1948. The day Larue graduated college she married her college sweetheart and husband of 68 years, Billy Fred Compton. Larue continued her teaching - 4 years in Pike County, KY. and 8 years at Pikeville City School. In 1964, Larue, Billy and their young daughter moved to Savannah, GA. Larue continued teaching and taught second grade for 22 years at Thunderbolt Elementary. Larue was an active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Society for women educators. She was a member of the Georgia Retired Teachers Association and the Chatham County Retired Teachers Association. Larue was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Pikeville, KY. and later in Savannah, GA. Larue taught Sunday school and served as a church deaconess for many years. Larue enjoyed her family and often took trips back to Kentucky to visit her sister, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Larue enjoyed shopping, antiquing, quilting and traveling. Larue also enjoyed getting together with family and friends, UGA tailgates, Atlanta Braves baseball, and baking everyone’s favorite treats or dishes. Larue is survived by her daughter, Ellodee Compton Stewart, son-in-law Roger Philip Stewart, nephew Bill Mark Osborne of Rincon, GA., niece Karen Gose Hunsucker of Lexington, KY., nephew Joe Gose of Mayking, KY., Nephew Jeff Gose of Mayking, KY., many great nephews and nieces, and her dear friend Jane Weldy who taught across the hall from Larue at Thunderbolt. Larue was preceded in death by her husband Billy F. Compton, her brother James Edison Webb (1926-1929) and three sisters: Carlene W. Gose of Mayking, KY., Lucy Osborne Horton of Savannah, GA., Irene W. Cook of Savannah, GA. Due to the Covid pandemic, no visitation or service will be held in Savannah. Burial will be at Johnson Memorial Cemetery on Pikeville, KY.