Rebecca “Becky” Barksdale Oliver

Rebecca “Becky” Barksdale Oliver, 79, died on Friday, November 6, 2020. Becky was born in Jackson, Miss. on September 30, 1941 to the late Harris Barksdale Jr. and the late Rebecca Miller Barksdale. She grew up in Jackson and moved to Memphis, Tenn. to attend Southwestern University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction. She lived in Athens, Ga., Rock Hill, S.C., and Spartanburg, S.C. before settling in Macon, Ga. over 50 years ago. Commuting to Milledgeville, she earned her M.A. from Georgia College and State University.

Becky spent the next 30 years of her life as an educator. She spent most of those years teaching English, Spanish, French, and Latin at Northside Middle School in Warner Robins. There, she touched the lives of thousands of children and developed enduring friendships with her colleagues.

One of Becky’s greatest joys was traveling with her husband, Jim. After his passing, she shared that joy by traveling with her daughter and grandchildren. She was a reader, a cat-lover, and a gardener. She was a woman of faith and found community at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, attending services and volunteering.

Becky’s greatest loves in her life were her grandchildren and children. She is survived by her son, Robert Burke Everett Jr.; her daughter, Julie Davis (Tommy Davis); her grandchildren, Trey Davis, Katie Davis, and Hannah Chandler; her stepchildren James Robert Oliver Jr., Sara Ann Schmeider, and J. Mitchell Oliver (Troy Oliver). She was preceded in her death by her husband, James Robert “Jim” Oliver Sr.

A celebration of her life will be held in the Memorial Gardens of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2020. Family will receive friends while social distancing at Becky’s home from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite animal rescue charity.

Please visit www.sardisheardfunerals.com to express condolences.

Sardis-Heard Funerals and Cremation Center, 6125 Houston Road, Macon, Georgia 31216 has charge of the arrangements.

http://www.sardisheardfunerals.com

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