Rebecca Smith

REBECCA SUE SMITH, 68, better known as Becky, mom or NawNaw, of Mattoon, IL passed away at 8:40 P.M. on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at her home with her daughter and granddaughter by her side.

A Memorial Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main St., in Arcola, IL. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Becky was born on January 15, 1948 in Mattoon, IL. She is a daughter of Harold and Ruth (Stevens) Louthan. She married John Smith in 1983 in Coles County. He passed away on July 4, 1999.

Becky is survived by two daughters, Kelli Decker of Mattoon, IL and Kari Getz and her fiancé, Jeremy Hostetler of Monticello, IL, grandson, Zac Drummond of Mattoon, IL, granddaughter Gretchen Getz (Dalton Howard) of Windsor, IL, and sister Ruth Bush of Mattoon, IL. She also leaves behind her beloved grand-dog Bella.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister, Janice Louthan, nephew, Randy Bush and brother-in-law, Joe Bush.

She was a member of the New Mercy Church in Mattoon, IL.

Becky never found a butter spreader she did not love (or buy); however they were all “just too pretty” to ever use. Becky always knew how to have a good time and she never missed a school or sporting event for her two grandchildren, she weathered the sweltering sun for Zac’s baseball games and the brutal early winters for Gretchen’s soccer games, she truly loved every minute she spent with her grandchildren. She even loved listening to Gretchen learn to play the Oboe (no one else could bear). She was that mom/NawNaw that encouraged us with words of wisdom and words that we cringed to hear, such as, “Kari, you’re not getting any younger; you need to suck-it-up and finish your Master’s degree”. (Mom earned part of the degree too with all her help and encouragement). We will miss the best vegetable soup and homemade noodles she made us for comfort food. We are all thankful for the short time we had with her.

She enjoyed shopping and spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren.

The family requests NO flowers; please make contributions, In Memory Of Becky, to the Jessica Youngblood Memorial Scholarship Fund, 2611 Champaign Avenue, Mattoon, IL or First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, Mattoon, IL. Becky would be proud to know that children could continue their education because of her.

The family would like to thank all the caring and talented doctors and nurses of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Barnes Jewish Hospital and Lincolnland Hospice and Mitchell Jerdan ambulance staff, all which worked hard to care for Mom. And finally, her very, very best friend, Marilyn Lucas, whose love and support during mom’s final days we are not sure we could have managed.

---