Rebecca Edwards

Rebecca Eugenia Edwards (“Becky”) of Hewitt, TX, was born February 4,1944 in Meridian, MS to Susie Rebecca (Brown) and James M. Ray, II. She is survived by her angel-on-earth husband of 47 years, Raymond (“Ray”), their four loving sons: Michael and wife Nancy of Florissant, MO; Scott and wife Marci of Chester, VA; John and wife Lori of Wright City, MO; and Christopher and wife Donna of San Antonio, TX; and five very precious grandchildren, Ryan, Chelsea, Junior, Jasmine, and Blake. She is also survived by her mother Susie Ray of Pewee Valley, KY, her sister Kay Davis and husband Rodney of Louisville, KY, her sister Barbara Jensen and husband Paul of Houston, TX; aunts Martha Drew of Meridian, MS, Carol Leggett of Gulf Shores AL, Jean Walston of Mobile, AL, and uncle Vernon Brown of (Sadie) Enterprise, MS. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was blessed with a large number of wonderful in-laws who loved her dearly and shared so many good times full of laughter and fun. Their cards, letters and calls these past few years meant more than they could imagine.

Becky was seven years old when she was preceded in death by her father, James M. Ray, II who died while on active duty in the U.S. Army. She was also preceded in death by her sister Diane Johnson of Del Rio, TX, her brother James M. Ray, III of Enterprise, AL, her mother-in-law June Hutchinson Baker of Cincinnati, OH; her grandparents Eugenia and James M. Ray, Susie Kate and Edward Brown of Meridian, MS, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Becky loved being a wife and mother. And although she was primarily a homemaker she found the time to take college courses and occasionally held jobs outside the home. As a career Navy wife she played a major role in organizing the family relocations and enjoyed getting to know new areas of the country. Their time spent in San Diego would forever be her favorite of Navy life.

Her love for Ray was a beautiful thing to see. She said the secret to a good marriage was not taking yourself too seriously. For example, she may never have been described as a good bowler but if Ray wanted her by his side then she was there throwing gutter balls and laughing at herself. Eventually he understood that she was there for him, not the bowling!

One of her greatest joys was seeing their four boys grow into the men they are today. She was their biggest cheerleader when they were into sports and she was their mom when they got their knees skinned or their hearts broken. When they married she welcomed and loved their wives as the daughters she never had. Later, Becky would be the first to call you up and tell you of the exploits and successes of her grandchildren -- from their first words spoken to their first college paper grades, her love and pride knew no limits.

Her love of sewing and crafting eventually led her to be a world-class quilter and cross-stitcher. She was always humble about her talents but she created some beautiful works of art that she blessed her family with as cherished gifts.

A special thank you for the attention and kindness shown by the librarians of Hewitt Public Library. Becky loved a good read and was a frequent library patron.

The family extends their gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to the compassionate and caring doctor, nurses, social worker, and chaplain of Providence Hospice, Waco, TX, for helping to ease Becky’s pain and for giving Ray and the entire family peace of mind when we needed it most.

Hey big sister, it’s time for you to do the Happy Dance -- you sewed up a wonderful adventure from the patchwork pieces of a life well loved and well lived.
We will miss you so very much and we will forever be grateful to have been held in the cradle of your boundless love.

Visitation

1 p.m. ,Thursday, October 21, 2010
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712

Funeral Service

2 p.m. ,Thursday, October 21, 2010
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712

Interment

10 a.m. ,Friday, October 22, 2010
Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
Killeen