Reba was a very dear friend of mine. I got to know her over the past few years after working with her at a local publishing company. I have never known anyone with such a gentle spirit and yet a tenacity for the well-being of animals. I, and all her animal friends, will miss her dearly.

Annette Lozier

To my dear friend Reba (Rebecca)--
I will certainly miss your gentle spirit and sense of humor. The world was a better place for animals and people because of you! I relied on your calm manner in any situation. You always seemed to understand--what a great listener! Thank you for what you gave to me.

With much love,
Mary Hughes

Rebecca was one of the sweetest and dearest persons I've ever known. We became instant friends many years ago when we worked together at Community Communications. Several of us who worked together even formed our own little group and named ourselves the "Coosa County Campfire Crackers". We got together to celebrate birthdays, Christmas and whenever we needed a "cracker" fix to just be with friends. Rebecca had a tremendous love for animals of all kinds. She will be truly missed by everyone. God Bless her.

Candy Strickland

Rebecca: Not many know that our acquaintenance actually started pre-shelter, when I was working at the Museum of Fine Arts. But it was those yard sales that firmed up our friendship with our love of recycling (and a great bargain)! It didn't take long to determine that you were special - small in stature, but big in heart. Your spirit will be with me always and you will be missed by all your human and animal friends. You truly will always be one of a kind. Until we meet again, I will miss you my friend, but you will remain close to my heart.

Rita Caswell (Ratso, Sissy, Rambo, and Gadget)

Rebecca was (or IS, as she lives on in me and all of us) such a beautiful gentle soul, quick to smile, and quietly seeing the truth beneath the surface. Her bohemian humor was akin to mine and we shared so many laughs and turns of phrases as we worked through the process of designing flyers and brochures for the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Rebecca became my friend over the course of those 15 or more years.  We exchanged many ornaments (she gave me stars and I gave her dogs and cats) during the winter holidays, and she gave my baby the best stuffed animal ever- a squirrel with a big fluffy tail, which we still have today, 9 years later. Oh, what an inspiration for loving, for looking, for waiting to judge, for responding with clarity and kindness.  Yes, she lives on in so many heartfelt lessons she has taught me. I hope I can be a conduit for her beautiful presence in some worthy way. I extend my love to her family that loves her so.

Tara Cady Sartorius

Rebecca truly made this world a better place - made such a beautiful difference in the lives of all who knew her-people and animal friends alike. She was a giver, a gift and a blessing; I smile as I quote Paul in Phillippians...  "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Phil. 1:3

Bonnie Harris

Rebecca had freelanced for our company before I started. She taught me so much about graphic design and layout. She was always patient and understanding. She was one of the most dependable people that I've ever worked with and the type of person we all need to strive to be like. Thanks Rebecca, just for being you.

Connie Westover

God Bless all you have done for the humane shelter, Rebecca. We know he had a special calling for you, a special need. Thanks again!

Leigh Graham

Rebecca was one of the sweetest, most giving people I have known.Always cheerful, she gave her time, her expertise, and Heaven knows what else to help the animals and to help those who wanted to do the same.
I first met Rebecca at the Pammpurred Pet. I was volunteering with a struggling humane society from another county. Laura and Russ allowed us to bring our pets for adoption.  Some people would have tried to find homes only for the ones from their shelter. Rebecca helped everybody. It was the need of the animal, not the group, that mattered.
Later she brought me a complete packet of information on how to become incorporated, which we did. Her business card has remained on my home bulletin board all these years.
I realized that I had not seen her at PetsMart recently, but had no idea she was sick. She never mentioned it. I would have told her goodbye.
What will happen to her pets?

Sadly,
Sandra Tindoll

Sweet Rebecca,

Although we haven’t seen each other in years, you will live on in my heart forever. I always looked forward to your annual Christmas cards with puppy paw stamps and your beautiful handwriting.

I remember years ago when we worked together at BASS, one year at Halloween your costume was an animal skin and you lay down in the front lobby to protest all of the trophy animals there. We all loved you sense of humor and admired your sense of justice.

There are many stories and memories we share. When I heard of your passing I told my daughter Grace every story I could think of about you, there were many including the baby shower you gave me when I was pregnant with Grace many years ago.

Rebecca, I have never met a kinder more gentle person, it is an honor to have known and loved you. May you rest in peace in the beautiful blue skies and the vast oceans.

Love, Susan Hulme

For Rebecca

With kindness, grace, wisdom and wit, you have changed so many lives for the better.

I love you always and all ways,
Amy Newell

Rebecca,

Thank you for being such a kind and generous person. It is with admiration that I remember you. Your talent and dedication is an inspiration to all.


Ramona Lavoie
 

The laying to rest of someone you care about is never easy. And when that someone was someone that shined brightly in a world crammed full of people, as one of the extraordinary ones, it is even harder to do.  To know that her cockeyed smile and her get-it-done attitude will never be seen again is almost enough to make the heavens weep, though I guess in her case they would weep tears of joy, at their gain and our loss.  Rebecca was a savior for many, many animals, a champion in their corner that they could count on, but even more than that she was a champion of people too. She did not give up on someone just because they were different or even when they made her mad, she had a big heart and an even bigger aptitude to forgive and to move forward. When it came to rolling up her sleeves and getting dirty she was always the first in there, board member or not, she was never about the prestige of being on the board, but about what her being there could do to help the animals. She shoveled poop, slung a hammer and hauled water right along with the rest of us.  She never thought about the work but about the end results. Her beautiful smile, her infectious laugh, her ability to see beyond the current situation was what made her unique and someone that we will miss for a very long time.

Sunday when all the characters got there, dog and human, I could almost hear Rebecca laughing when a couple of the smaller dogs added their voices to the priest's words. He might not have know Rebecca like we did, but those little four legged fans, sure did.  She always had a kind word and a pat on the head for all of them and their little voices that day reminded me that even in serious moments she could find a reason to laugh. She did not bemoan her fate, but instead tried to protect her friends and family from what she knew was coming. Brave and thinking of others even in the end, that was Rebecca.  As tears rolled down my cheek, I could not help thinking that she would have loved this memorial, not because she was vain or even cared that we honor her in some way.  No she would have loved it for the sunshine outside, the smell of the pine trees in the air, the waggle of happy little dog tails, the shimmer of the lake in the background, the blessing of the priest as each little dog came forward to receive his graces, the comfortable pine floor, the open-air church, the worshiping in nature, of man and beast. This day, this service, much like I imagine God intended it to be, much like it must have been in the old days, when man did not segregate himself from all of God's other creatures, but shared his life and worship with one and all. She would have loved the purity
of it all and the love there.


Kendra

http://www.pbase.com/kblester/dogsatrebecca

Our Dear Rebecca,

Although we have never been close, with your living in Alabama and mine in Pennsylvania, I never guessed you had that dreaded disease until last year. I know your parents never wanted to have the family worry, but we could have expressed some concerns and prayers for your recovery. We now know that you are pain free and are "up there somewhere" knowing we all loved you with all our hearts. We remain here on earth supporting all the organizations you so dearly loved. Our love for your family will never leave and you will always be remembered as a great niece and wonderful daughter and wife.

Love always and forever,
Your Aunt Ruth

What a wonderful, relaxing, comforting person you were to me.  I was blessed just by meeting you when we began the "Drawdown" and being on the Shelter Board with you.  So many great people doing wonderful work and you were at the top.  You will be missed by so many.  My prayers for your family.

Bettye Mendez

Rebecca,
Your friendship is what got me involved in the Elmore County Humane Shelter. You and I always agreed....We do it for the animals. You listened to my ideas & concerns. Thank you for that. I know everyone will miss your smile & loving ways! I will always remember you , and thank God for letting our paths meet in this lifetime. I look forward to seeing you in heaven one day. As you told me near the end of your days here...."God has a Plan". I can see you loving on HIS beautiful creatures in heaven now!! Until then.....I Miss and Love You Friend!

Charline (Charlie) Pope
 

Dear Beck,

As I sit, smiling when I read all the wonderful things written by all the special people you surrounded yourself with, it helps me know how very loved you were. It was so hard to say good bye to you when you left and is still so very hard to do now. I look through all the photos I took of our family and yours with all the assorted critters you always had running around the house and smile there too. But in the quieter times I miss picking up the phone and speaking to you or sending an e mail. I talk to you out loud or in my mind all the time, but I REALLY miss your physical presence. Being a sister without her sister is a hard thing to accomplish, but I am trying.

I am so happy the pain is over for you and I do feel your spirit and energy all around me so much that I KNOW you are still affecting things. It is just the physical self that is having the hardest time accepting that you are gone.

Mom & Dad are getting through the loss as best as they can, one little step at a time. I know we will get to a happier and lighter place eventually, but for now we miss you a whole lot.

If anyone has any stories they would like to share and want to contact me please do at catmeldo@yahoo.com

I LOVE you always Barky.......my dear sweet li'l seester.

Mel (Meowl)

Melissa Hockman-Thorpe

I was stunned to hear of Rebecca's passing. I happened to visit this site today after tragically losing a puppy last night ... my first thought was of Rebecca. Back at CCI, she used to send me emails about all the wonderful dogs that needed homes ... she just didn't have room in her home for all of them, but she certainly had room in her heart.

I'll never forget "happydogs" ... Rebecca was such a ray of sunshine ... I know her beautiful, vibrant spirit is shining down on us now.

Angela (Johnson) Kirby

I saw Rebecca, on more than one occasion at the shelter. To those who new who better, and longer than I did. She always had a pleasant smile, and was so kind to me. I am sorry for her passing, and did not know of her illness. Reading what friends have shared, thinking back. She was always helpful, and with a friendly smile. I know you all miss her. I wish I could of had the opportunity to know Rebecca better, and spend more time with her. I love all types of animals, also. To her family, I send my condolences.

Candice T. Bradford

Rest In Peace Rebecca

Chyrl Willis