Rebecca Duvall's Obituary
Rebecca Crim Duvall of Henderson, Texas passed away on November 16, 2009. She was born December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, she would remind you 1914 in Pine Hill, Texas to William Claude Crim and Emma Jane Wright Crim. Rebecca was the second youngest child in her family of eight siblings. Preceding her in death was her father Claude and her mother Janie. Also preceding her in death were her brothers, Forrest Fleming Crim and George Wesley Crim, and her sisters, Mattie Mae Buckner, Thelma Wallace, Betsy Roberts, and Claudia Holder. Jane Goforth, Rebecca's youngest sister resides in San Antonio, Texas.
Throughout Rebecca's 94 years. She reveled in the stories of growing up in Pine Hill, the flourishing little town in the East Texas Piney Woods. Her family life filled with music, imagination, reading, learning and the Baptist faith. As a result of the Depression, the family moved to Henderson, Texas in the 1920s. Rebecca continued her education in Henderson, graduating from Henderson High School in 1931.
Her college education began at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas and completed at the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. As a young lady in the city of Houston, she was a legal secretary in a large law firm. Married and with a young daughter, Rebecca chose her new career and her life long passion of educating children. Rebecca taught fifth grade for 10 years at Condit Elementary in Bellaire, Texas and language arts at Jane Long Junior High School in Bellaire until 1970, all the while being honored for her outstanding accomplishments as a teacher.
In 1954 Rebecca married Frederick A. Duvall in Houston. Sixteen years later they retired to Henderson. Fred Duvall died in 1972.
Rebecca, in her retirement, stayed very active with her interests in bird watching, bridge, gardening, history and politics. When called upon, Rebecca substitute taught in the Henderson School District. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Henderson and the Radio Bible Class. As long as her sisters were with her, they met in their homes every afternoon for coffee and spirited conversation. For many years, when possible, they drove north to experience the changing of the leaves or they drove west to absorb the colors of the mountains and deserts.
Rebecca Crim Duvall is survived by her daughter, Ella Jane Chavis Beal of Henderson, Texas; her grandson, Angus D. Beal and wife Fran of Phoenix, Arizona; granddaughter, Megan Beal Gebhardt and husband Michael of Portland , Oregon, and granddaughter Briden Beal of Wasilla, Alaska; great granddaughters, Mia Brooke Gebhardt and Maizy Bly Gebhardt of Portland, Oregon. Also surviving her is her sister, Jane Crim Goforth of San Antonio, Texas and many nephews and nieces and great nieces and nephews.
Throughout her later years there have been many wonderful friends that have seen to her happiness and care. To all of these dear people the Duvall-Crim family will be forever grateful.
The services for Rebecca Crim Duvall will be held at the First Baptist Church Chapel at 10:00 AM Friday, November 20, 2009 with Rev. Bill Tisdale officiating. The family will greet friends following the services. Burial will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Henderson. Pallbearers will be Kyle Roberts Ward, Arthur David Roberts, Hank Holmes, David Buckner, Rod Goforth, John Goforth and Carl Sledge. Honorary pallbearers will be A. David Roberts, Thomas Kyle Ward, Milford Tate, Clarence Propes , Rev. Don Shultz, Rev. Jerry Williams and Charles Helton.
Donations in memory of Rebecca Duvall may be made to The Hope Foundation, 120 E. South Town Dr. Suite 200, Tyler, TX 75703 or to the charity of your choice.
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