Rusti Russell Becker

Rusti had battled with illness for many of her final years and she fought bravely to stay with her family and friends for as long as she could. Even at the end, Rusti left lasting impressions with the staff and healthcare teams that had the opportunity to interact and support her fight.

Rusti was born in Christian, IL in 1942. Her parents owned and managed the family farm her entire childhood, so Rusti was raised appreciating and embracing the beauty of God's natural creations and learned to live off the land. After receiving her AS and BS degrees from Southern Illinois University, she joined the US Navy. It was during this period she met her husband, Donald George Becker and they followed his military career to Jacksonville, NC and then to Twenty-Nine Palms, CA.

Rusti and her family moved to Havelock, NC in the early 70’s and immediately became involved in community events and community support. She started her working career in Havelock as a Physical Education Teacher at Annunciation Catholic School. Rusti and her family were very active in the church. It was not an uncommon occurrence to find several Nuns from the church at Rusti’s home, musical instruments in hand, playing and singing and praising God.

After leaving behind her teaching career, Rusti worked for the Sun Journal in New Bern for many years. That position afforded her the opportunity to continue to be actively involved in community events and engaged with all the area residents.

After bringing her Mother to NC for Hospice, Rusti started a lengthy and successful career with Coldwell Banker First Realty in Havelock. Just like her other professions of choice, this allowed her to stay even further involved with the community and its residents.

Her last career choice, again, kept her at the forefront of community engagement as a Field Representative with the US Census Bureau. She traveled day and night, weekdays and weekends, reaching out and interacting with her community.

In what little free time she had, Rusti took time to pursue her one passion….Art. Rusti was an accomplished artist and continued sharing that personal pleasure with everyone, right up to her final hours. Her hand laid images will be an enduring testament to her love of God's creations.

Rusti is survived by her children, John Russell Becker of Havelock, Richard Mark Becker and wife, Lisa of Cove City; grandchildren, John Michael Becker and wife, Elizabeth of Havelock, Richard Allen Becker, John Russell Becker, Benjamin Kirkland Becker all of Denver Co; step-grandchildren, Kody Nugen of Denver CO, William Sholar and Johnathan Sholar of Currie NC; 3 great grandchildren and 9 step-great grandchildren. Rusti is preceded in death by her parents, John L. and Lucile B. Russell of Effingham IL.

A Memorial Service for Rusti will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 3:00 pm at Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory, 2201 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the DAV Craven County Chapter # 40, PO Box 13563, New Bern NC 28561.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Rusti Russell Becker.