Rebecca Lewis

Committal services for Rebecca Lewis, 95, of Lexington, where held on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in the Lexington Cemetery w ith Pastor Chris Bruce officiating.

A service to celebrate her life followed at First Baptist Church in Lexington.

Mary Rebecca Parker was born March 19, 1926, in Lexington to Curtis Carl and Nancy Pearl (Riggs) Parker.

Rebecca was raised to value education and faith. From their breakfast table her father faithfully read from the Bible each morning despite how much work needed to be done or if the biscuits were burning.

Rebecca adored her brothers and treasured the example that her parents were to them on how they should live their lives. They instilled in her and her brothers the importance of hard work, a steadfast faith in God and love for playing dominos.

Rebecca accepted Christ on June 18, 1937, and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church. There she enjoyed playing the piano, teaching Bible School, and being a devout member of the Mary Martha Sunday School Class.

Rebecca graduated as valedictorian from Lexington High School in 1943 with 18 other classmates. She went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree from Baylor University in 1947 and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Rebecca followed her mother into the teaching profession and quickly learned that it was not for her.

Rebecca met Linoel Lewis when he joined her class in the third grade. On Nov. 27, 1948, they were married and were blessed with 59 years together.

Rebecca and Linoel were an exceptional couple. Together they created a life where they found balance in being both diligent to their work and prioritizing time to enjoy the life they created. They raised their children, Cindy and Randy, in Lexington and imparted to them the values they had learned from their parents.

Rebecca and Linoel were enthusiastic fans of the Lexington Eagles, the Baylor Bears, and their grandchildren. While they loved football most, they were found in the stands for any event they could attend. In their later years, they planned their weeks around game schedules and were happy to eat any dinner from a concession stand.

Although Rebecca’s teaching profession was short lived, she utilized those skills to ensure that her grandchildren were well versed in impeccable table manners and the proper use of the English language.

Rebecca’s love for games extended throughout her entire life and she had the reputation for being highly competitive. Whether it be her daily crossword puzzle, weekly Bridge Club, holiday 42 matchups, or an impromptu hand of Spite and Malice. If she lost, she would playfully claim that the other person must have cheated and if she won, she liked to remind her opponents that “second place is the first loser.”

Rebecca valued friendship. Throughout her life, she developed and maintained treasured friendships from her time at Baylor, their years together in Port Arthur, and their life in Lexington. Rebecca learned the importance of being a good friend from the rooted friendships that she shared with her cousins. These women grew up together, raised their children together, and spent their afternoons at what the family refers to as the “Coffee Club.” Rebecca was the last of this generation of Parkers who lived together in Lexington and were consistently present in each other’s daily life.

Some of Rebecca’s favorite memories were the stories from her travels. Rebecca and Linoel spent much of their retirement years traveling across the United States in their motor home with friends that they had made as newlyweds. Rebecca also visited China, Hong Kong, Russia, and made seven trips to Europe.

Rebecca will be remembered for her faithfulness to her Lord, her quick wit, and her love for her family.

Rebecca passed away the evening of Saturday, Dec. 11, at her home in Lexington.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, her parents, and brothers John William Parker and Curtis Edward Parker.

She is survived by her children, Cindy Lewis Spencer and husband Rick of Lexington and Randy Lewis and wife Cinndy of Lexington; six grandchildren, Sarah Spencer Becker and husband Brent of Houston, Rachel Lewis Biggs of Fort Worth, Luke Spencer and wife Alana of Houston, Parker Lewis of Houston, Anna Spencer Morse and husband Derek of Lexington, and Ben Spencer of Austin; four great-grandchildren, Hayden Bexley, Kylie Morse, Tanner Morse and Madison Spencer.

She is also survived by a numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, whom she adored.

Serving as pallbearers were her grandchildren, Sarah and Brent Becker, Rachel Biggs, Luke and Alana Spencer, Parker Lewis, Anna and Derek Morse, and Ben Spencer.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 87, Lexington, TX 78947 or to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings.