Rebecca Gaddis

Rebecca Leake Brehm Gaddis, 85, died on February 11, 2014 following a lengthy illness. Becky had recently been living at The Arbor in Ridgeland, Mississippi after stints at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison, Mississippi and the Madison County Nursing Home in Canton, MS.

Becky Gaddis was born in Natchez, Mississippi in 1928. She was the daughter of Wilbur and Mabel Leake Brehm. She had three siblings--Wilma Anne Brehm and Wilbur Henry Brehm, Jr., both of whom died as teens and Nancy Janet Brehm Bell of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Becky was a proud graduate of Mississippi State College for Women with a degree in Business Education. She met her husband, Billy Tillson Gaddis of Raleigh, Mississippi on a blind double date while he was attending Mississippi State University. Even though they were not paired on the date, Billy was instantly attracted to Becky and he pursued her and won her heart. They were married in December, 1950 but had to live apart while Becky fulfilled a teaching contract in Quitman, MS and Billy taught agriculture to veterans of World War II in Bentonia, MS.

After her teaching contract was fulfilled in 1951, Becky became a homemaker when Billy was recalled to service at Fort Benning, GA, where their first child, Gene Henry Gaddis was born. After Billy fulfilled his US Army obligations, they returned to Mississippi where they had two other children, Rebecca Alice (Sally) Gaddis and Deborah Anne Gaddis. Their family was complete with the arrival of Rachel Brehm Gaddis while they were residents in Pearl, Mississippi.

Becky volunteered at McLaurin Heights Elementary School in Pearl, MS in the early 1960’s and was encouraged by first grade teacher Louise Cheney to return to school to become certified to teach Elementary Education. Becky attended Mississippi College and achieved a Masters Degree in Education. She taught for many years at Northside Elementary in Pearl under beloved Principle Gill. Becky had a passion for teaching her first or second grade students. She continued to take classes in reading education and she delighted in learning and improving her skills. One class she particularly enjoyed was the Teacher’s Education Workshop put on by the Mississippi Forestry Association and the Mississippi State University Forestry Extension Service. She was very proud that her oldest daughter, Sally, followed in her footsteps as an elementary school teacher.

After she retired, Billy and Becky enjoyed traveling in the States and in Europe. Becky especially loved attending Elder Hostels where she could satisfy her desire to learn about people, culture, and history of other regions of the United States.

Becky dearly loved little babies and she was delighted to have grandchildren to cuddle. Susan Rebecca Buntyn was the first to arrive, followed by Rebecca Anne Utz, Joe Frank Buntyn, III (Trey), and Kathryn Elisabeth Buntyn. Gabriel McGowan Douglas and Cameron Kennedy Douglas were the last two grandchildren to join the family.

Five and a half years ago, Becky had to have emergency surgery at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. Complications led to Becky being placed on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit. She remained there for six months, unaware of her surroundings and unresponsive. Billy was at her side every day during that time along with one or more of their children. Miraculously, Becky recovered with her mind intact but her body confined to the bed. She lived at Madison County Nursing Home for several years until she transferred first to St. Catherine’s Village and then to The Arbor. Billy stayed with her every day, until his Alzheimer’s forced him to give up driving and eventually he, too, was confined to St. Catherine’s and then The Arbor.

Becky was always thrilled to see family visit, especially the youngest generation, great-grandchildren Duo and Seth Yeske, Anna and Mary Sharpe, and Belle Byars. She was blessed by the devotion of her son, Gene, who visited almost daily and by her daughter Sally who came every week. Daughters Debbie and Rachel, living far away, visited when possible and are so grateful for their local siblings who cared so faithfully for both Billy and Becky. It was always an especially happy time when Rachel and Cullen could visit with their two sons, Gabriel and Cameron, since they were not able to travel to Mississippi often.

While Becky loved her family and her career, the true center of her life was her religion. She was christened at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchez and was a faithful member while she was growing up. She was a charter member of McLaurin Heights Baptist Church in Pearl, MS and then a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Madison. Becky read her Bible daily and embraced the study of all aspects of the life of Christ and the people of the Bible. She loved sending cards to her Sunday School Class and to visitors at First Baptist and did so faithfully for many years. Her family and friends take great comfort in knowing that Becky is with the Lord she so devotedly worshiped and loved.

Becky leaves behind her loving husband of 64 years, Billy Tillson Gaddis of The Arbor, Ridgeland and her children Gene Henry Gaddis of Madison, MS, Sally Gaddis of Meridian, MS, Debbie Gaddis Gunter and son-in-law John E. Gunter of Marion, IL and Foley, AL, and Rachel Gaddis Douglas and son-in-law Cullen Douglas of Los Angeles, CA. Grandchildren and their spouses and children are as follows: Susan and Jason Yeske and their sons, Duo and Seth in Meridian, MS; Trey Buntyn of Meridian, MS; Kathryn and Corey Byars and their daughter Belle of Okinawa, Japan; Becky and William Sharpe and their daughters Anna June and Mary Elise of Clarksville, TN and Gabriel and Cameron Douglas of Los Angeles, CA.

Becky also is mourned by her younger sister, Nancy Janet Bell and her children Walton Bell (Kelly), Janet Dawson (Tommy), Brehm Bell (Jenny), and Jeannie (Stephen) Burrell and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Becky also leaves a close and loving friend, Celia Mermilstein of Natchez. Becky and Celia had been best friends since they were in kindergarten many years ago.

She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Larry (Tom) and Johnnie Sue Gaddis of Raleigh, MS. She loved her many nieces, nephews, spouses and children: Mischelle (Sugar) Day of Seattle, WA; Tim Gaddis of Kennewick, WA; Mike and Mary Gaddis of Walla Walla, WA; Terry and Martha Ashley of Raleigh, MS; Jo Carolyn Arnold of New Braunfels, TX; Amy Shoemaker of Raleigh, MS; Cathy and Walt Chalk of Brookhaven, MS; Lonnie Frank and Monica Ashley of Oak Point, Texas; George and Lyda (Porky) Sullivan, John Mark Sullivan, Kevin and Sonya Sullivan, and Gerri Sullivan all of Raleigh, MS; Jeff and Tori Wigington, Indiana; Laurie and Bob Horner, Newport News, Virginia; Mimi and Howard Hill of Thomasville, AL; Robin and Pam Sweet, Centennial Park, CO; Renee and Matthew Sharpley, Shreveport, LA; Nanette and Kevin Ladner, Kiln, MS; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Family who predeceased her were her parents, Wilbur and Mabel Leake Brehm, her brother Wilbur Henry Brehm, Jr., and sister Wilma Anne Brehm, all of Natchez, MS and brother-in-law Harry Bell of Pearlington, MS as well as her mother- and father-in-law James Truman and Ina Tillson Gaddis. Death has also already claimed in-laws Gaynell (Buck) and Betty Gaddis of Pasco, WA, H.B. and Merle Ashley of Raleigh, MS, G.R. and Annie Ruth Sullivan of Raleigh, MS, Robert and Joyce Sweet of Centennial, CO, John and Rose Wigington of Semmes, AL. Nephew Christopher Sweet of Centennial, CO also predeceased her.

Funeral Services and visitation will be held at the Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland, MS. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 13, 2014 from 5 to 7 pm and Saturday at 10 am. Services will be Saturday, February 15 at 11, followed by a brief graveside service at the adjoining Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Madison, MS; the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; the Mississippi Baptist Children’s Village or Youth for Christ.

Pallbearers include: Joe Frank (Trey) Buntyn, III, William Sharpe, Jayson Yeske, Brehm Bell, Terry Ashley, John Mark Sullivan, Kevin Sullivan, and Ken Hernbloom. Honorary pallbearers are Cullen Douglas, John Gunter, Gabriel Douglas, Corey Byars, Larry (Tom) Gaddis, George Sullivan, and Joe Singletary.