Funeral services for Rebecca Jane Gartrell will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 3 p.m. at Payne Springs United Methodist Church with Rev Gary Hayes and Rev. David Diller officiating. Burial will follow at Payne Springs Cemetery.
Mrs. Gartrell went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 10, 2016.
Rebecca Jane Gartrell was born on March 9, 1941 in Malakoff, Texas, daughter of Walter Reynolds and Julia Pelham Reynolds. Family was number one to Rebecca. She was a loving foster parent, second mom and beloved teacher to many. Rebecca loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening, sewing but reading was her favorite pastime. She always stepped in and helped wherever she could which involved taking youth trips and doing projects with her students. She loved to host the kids by making cookies and providing many pizzas on Friday afternoons between school and football games. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed by all she knew and loved.
Becky was a member of the Payne Springs United Methodist Church and of the Adult Sunday School Class. They were involved with the Methodist Church in Del Rio for years as a young couple and she was also the secretary of the Church. She was a founding member of the Junior Historian Society of Eustace was responsible for the Mosely Cabin Restoration and movement to downtown as a Historical site. She was a Jr. High Cheer Sponsor and was a sponsor and director of the One Act Play at Eustace ISD. She was a graduate of Eustace High School, received her Bachelors of Education at the University of Texas and received her Master’s Degree at UT Tyler.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her daughter Sonia Gartrell.
Rebecca is survived by her loving husband of 56 years Ronald Gartrell of Payne Springs; children, Rhonda Gartrell of Payne Springs and Mark Gartrell of Virginia Beach, VA; three grandchildren, Alexis Gartrell, Garrett Gartrell, Elaina Morgan Gartrell; one great granddaughter Emily Brock; siblings, Jimmy Reynolds and wife Erma of Payne Springs, Danny Reynolds of Eustace, Judy Reynolds of Eustace, Walter “Punky” Reynolds and wife Beverly of Payne Springs; and special friends and travel partners to Europe and other places Don and Beverly Purinton.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2016 at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
You may light a candle or write condolences to the family at: www.hannigansmith.com.
We love u u will be missed
We were so sorry to hearse news of this amazing lady leaving us behind here on earth . But know that she has one the victory ad is in Heaven with many jewels in her crown. I’m so sorry that most of our family is out of town and won’t be able to be at her celebration of Life. She was such a positive influence to so many students at EISD. Two being our children now grown Dustin Weems and Lindsay Weems Spivey. We share many memories of trips with Jr historians , Washington DC , science projects as well as Jr historian projects and cheerleading . The fantastic amazing team is back together again Mrs . Smith and Mrs Gartrell . She will be used by so many. When I return home I plan on posting some of those wonderful memories to share.