Rebecc 's Obituary
Rebecca Irene Rockhill, daughter of Walter and Mary Laura Atkins Thrailkill, was born November 22, 1919, near Sleeper, Missouri. She departed this life Monday, October 5, 2009, in Willow Care Nursing Home, in Willow Springs, Missouri, at the age of eighty-nine years, ten months, and thirteen days. On December 27, 1951, she was united in marriage to Howard W. Rockhill, and to this union one daughter was born. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a half-sister, Virginia Wilson. Rebecca is survived by her husband, Howard, of the home; a daughter, Mary Jane Lybyer, and her husband, Mike, of Huggins, Missouri; a grandson, Michael Patrick Lybyer; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. She was born and raised in northern Laclede County and graduated from Stoutland High School. She then earned her two-year degree at Southwest Baptist College and began teaching at a rural school in Walker, Missouri. She came back to the Stoutland area and started teaching in Stoutland and then in Lebanon at the Adams Building, while attending Southwest Missouri State University during the summers and obtaining her bachelor degree. She later did her graduate work at Missouri University at Columbia and Drury College. Soon after Rebecca and Howard were married, they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana for one year, and she taught there as well. Upon returning to Lebanon, she continued to teach in the elementary grades in Hillcrest, Mark Twain, and Maplecrest Schools for a total of thirty-five years in Lebanon. Throughout her forty-one years of teaching, she never missed a year from her first year until retirement. Rebecca made her profession of faith in Christ and was baptized at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church when she was twelve. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Lebanon, and was active in various phases of the church, but especially in the Women’s Circle. She was a longtime member of the Order of the Eastern Star where she had served as Grand Chaplain and was part of the White Shrine. She had belonged to the Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher’s Sorority, the Missouri State Teachers Association, the Missouri Retired Teachers Association, the Retired Federal Employees Association and a Lebanon Garden Club. She had a great love for children and was especially close to her daughter and grandson. After retirement, Rebecca and Howard enjoyed traveling, and together had the opportunity to visit all fifty states. Rebecca was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and was a kind and caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and will remember her as a devoted homemaker, a dedicated teacher, a Christian lady, and a wonderful friend. Servcies will be held at 10:00am on Saturday October 10, 2009 at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon. Burial will be in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation is Friday evening 7-8:30pm at the funeral home under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. A memorial has been established to the Gideon Bible Ministry. Donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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