Mrs. Rebecca “Becky” Louise Austin-White suddenly departed this life on April 13th, 2017 in Asheville, NC where she had resided for the last 5 years. Becky was born on August 30th, 1949 in Decatur, Il, the second daughter born to Ruth and Roy “Uncle Roy” Austin. Becky lived in Decatur all of her life except when she went to college and when she she moved to Asheville, NC to be closer to her daughter, Emily, in January 2012. Becky graduated from St. Teresa High School, Lakeland College, and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work. After graduation her only jobs were those in child welfare. Her most favorite job was at Family Service of Decatur where she matched children and infants with adoptive parents. She retired as a Social Worker from DCFS in Decatur in 2005, where she worked for 15 years. After retirement, Becky enjoyed traveling, playing cards, festivals, shopping, and spending time with her family. Becky was married in 1977 and that union produced her only biological child. In 1990, Becky adopted a little girl named Jenny, whom she nicknamed Junebug. She loved being a mom and then a grandma in her later years when Ruger was born followed by Ainsley. Becky was very fond of cars, her last being a red VW Beetle, which she named Rosey. She went everywhere in her car as she viewed having a car as a means to independence. She enjoyed bingo, reading books and the newspaper, movies, collecting music boxes, caring for her plants, crime and drama tv shows, collecting I Love Lucy memorabilia, babysitting her grandchildren, the color red, collecting yard rocks, and was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. Her most favorite thing of all was her pets and she had many throughout her life. Becky had two dogs over the years whom she loved deeply, Katie and Wendy. Becky also had several cats over the years: Booher, Gracie, Cookie, Oreo, and Tiger. She leaves behind her precious dog, her pug, Daisy. Her greatest joy was being there for the birth of her granddaughter, Ainsley. Becky requested cremation and her ashes to be given to her daughter, Emily. Becky was a lifetime member of St. James Catholic Church and requested a celebration of life to be held at a later date. Becky is survived by her most precious daughter, Emily Louise White-Wathan and husband Chris, and granddaughter, Ainsley Louise Wathan, all of Charlotte, NC. Adopted daughter Jenny Rebecca White-Warren and grandson, Ruger Ray Warren, both of Decatur. Sisters: Roberta Stenger of Decatur, and Rita Rossi of Melbourne, Fl. Brothers: Roy Austin of Decatur, Richard Austin of Oreana, and Raymond Austin of Trivoli, Il. As well as dozens of nieces and nephews, cousins, and aunts. Both sets of grandparents, parents, and one sister preceded her in death. Mom, I’m holding up my hand signal to you always and forever.

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