Born October 10, 1954 in McKinney, Texas and went home to meet the Lord on February 7, 2019 in Mesquite, Texas at the age of 64. Becky is preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Johnnie Riddle, brother James Honea and a baby sister Armanda who died at birth. Becky is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 43 years, Robert Varnado, son Matthew Varnado and wife Shannon, granddaughter Elysse and grandson Rhys, sisters Diane Armstrong and husband Richard of Jacksonville, Alabama, Cindy Craighead of McKinnney, Texas, brothers Don Riddle of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, John Riddle and wife Kathi of McKinney, Texas, Paul Riddle and wife Tasha of Oxford, Alabama, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and a host of other family members and friends.
Becky earned Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education at Texas A&M University, Commerce, Texas. She also held certifications in ESL and several other areas of elementary education.
Becky will be remembered as a devoted educator in love with the potential of every child who passed through her classroom. For over three decades of her life she was blessed with the chance to teach hundreds of children. Her career spanned multiple generations as the children of her earlier students started appearing on her class rosters. The Mesquite Independent School District and her fellow educators recognized her contributions with an Apple Corps Award in 2006 before her retirement in 2012. She forever after spoke of her time, her students, and colleagues with the greatest fondness; often sharing how they had shaped and lifted her up with love, support, and the reward of watching Kindergarteners blossom into readers and dreamers.
In retirement, Becky continued as an educator making sure that her grandchildren and her many great nieces and nephews were always learning something and had plenty of activities whenever they were together. She also flourished as an artist; designing jewelry, hand drawn Christmas cards, miniature fairy gardens with her granddaughter, and a serenity garden which will be preserved in her memory.
We have set the date and time for Becky’s Memorial Celebration. It will be Sunday, April 28th 1-6 pm here at our home in Mesquite. Those wishing to plant a plant in Becky’s Serenity Garden are welcome to come by at any time. Refreshments will be available. If they want to do this but cannot make the event, they should contact me and we will arrange something. We want to give everyone a chance to tell or write about any special memories you may wish to share. We will have pen and paper available as well as an opportunity to tell your story. For those wanting to honor Becky in a more permanent way, we have obtained permission from the MISD to erect a park bench dedicated to her near the playground at Hodges Elementary. We are accepting donations to help with this effort. Please contact me if interested.
Robert Varnado
972-816-9335
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