Rebecca Lynn Brooks

She is survived by her sister, Susan Vinklarek, and by her nephew, Christopher Vinklarek.

Born to Frances and Richard Brooks, Rebecca began her life in Columbus, Georgia on February 27, 1946. From an early age, she demonstrated a creative and enlightened mind. After discovering a love for the arts, she decided to pursue a career in education. She received a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin and briefly taught art to the students of David G. Burnet Junior High School.

The job that suited her best, however, was that of professor for the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Texas at Austin. Rebecca began teaching at the University of Texas in the fall of 1976 and retired in the spring of 2009, a career totaling an impressive 33 years. She focused her pursuits in the field of art education. This allowed her to teach future art educators, a job in which she took great joy. While at the University of Texas, Rebecca received many awards and commendations. In 1991, she was named Art Educator of the Year in the Higher Education Division of the Texas Art Education Association. In the same year, she was nominated by the National Art Education Association to be Higher Education Art Educator of the Year. She was also an author of numerous textbooks. Her textbooks in the subject of art were read by children across the country.

Rebecca was a lover of history, astronomy, and the arts. She traveled around the world and was a prolific reader. She enjoyed movies, good food, and the company of friends like the family of Bob and Elaine Burden and Susan and Stephanie Amster. She was a good friend, a kind sister, and loving aunt. She will be sorely missed by family and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Cook Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home Chapel.