Rebecca Bentley Summerour

Alice Rebecca “Becky” Bentley Summerour, born December 13, 1938, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a vibrant legacy woven deeply into the fabric of Marietta, Cobb County, Georgia. Born at her parents’ home on Franklin Road—a house that still stands today—Becky’s life was defined by unwavering faith, extraordinary strength, and a spirited devotion to her family and community.

Growing up in the heart of Marietta, Becky spent her childhood immersed in the energy of the Marietta Square, where her parents owned and operated Bentley’s Café, a beloved local hotdog restaurant directly across from the old courthouse. While her family worked, young Becky could often be found captivated by the movies at the Strand Theatre. On her family’s farm, she took on the early responsibility of milking cows twice daily with her brothers, developing a powerful work ethic and a lifelong passion for agriculture that led her to successfully show Jersey cows and American Quarter horses.

Becky graduated from Sprayberry High School before continuing her education at Oglethorpe University and the University of Georgia. A true trailblazer, she later earned her law degree from Woodrow Wilson Law School in Atlanta, forging a path forward at a time when few women pursued legal careers. She dedicated her life to public service, working at the Cobb County Ordinaries Office (now the Cobb County Probate Court) and later serving as a social worker and supervisor with the Cobb County Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFACS), touching countless lives with her compassion and leadership.

As luck would have it, Becky found a true kindred spirit in her husband, Billy James Summerour, who shared her deep love for horses. The two first met at a local horse show, fell in love, and were married on August 20, 1964. Their shared passion for farm life became the bedrock of their 42-year marriage, during which Bill worked for 33 years in Lockheed’s Functional Test Lab before joining Becky in raising beef cattle and Quarter horses. When Alice was born, the family was ecstatic to welcome her home from the hospital with her very first pony, Chico—a special homecoming gift from her "Pop," who declared that it was never too early to start learning how to ride.

Her faith and love for music shone brightly as choir director at New Hope Methodist Church and as a devoted choir member whose voice lifted spirits for decades. Outside of her work and church, Becky was almost certainly found at BlackJack Stables at the base of Blackjack Mountain. Known for her adventurous, free-spirited nature, she famously collected speeding tickets across nearly every US state during her cross-country travels. At home, she was virtually unbeatable at Rook and Monopoly, bringing a joyfully competitive spirit to every family game night.

Above all, Becky’s ultimate joy was her unconditional devotion to her only child, Alice. Together, mother and daughter shared an unbreakable bond. They loved attending community events, civic galas, and local traditions—especially the North Georgia State Fair. Whether traveling to the beach or relaxing in the North Carolina mountains, discussing politics, or simply spending time together, Becky cherished every moment with her family.

Always greeting everyone warmly, Becky never met a stranger. Her incredible strength, vibrant will to live, and enduring grace granted her 486 cherished "Bonus Days" following her heart attack and lengthy hospital ordeal in May of 2025. Each of these days was extra special to her and her family and friends after an unpromising start in the ER, as she powered through every health challenge with legendary resilience until her body gave out.

Becky was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Billy James Summerour, a WWII Navy veteran, gifted inventor, and steadfast hero to his family who passed away on March 12, 2007. She is survived by her devoted and loving daughter, Alice Summerour; her extended family; and a community of friends who loved her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be directed to The Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre Fund at the Cobb Community Foundation to support its continued community programming and historic preservation. Donations may be made securely online through the Strand Theatre Donation Portal, or you can visit their main Support Page for more information on additional ways to give.