Rebecca P. (Becky) Fairly

Rebecca Patricia Fairly (Becky)

Becky was born April 6, 1955 in Atlanta, Georgia. She was raised by “Aunt Pat and Uncle Pope” in Atlanta. She was baptized at Springs Street Baptist Church. She was crowned Miss Pantera and Most Beautiful at Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia in 1973. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Georgia Southwestern in Americus, Georgia. In 1980, she moved to Jackson, Mississippi to attend CRNA school at the University Medical Center.

She and Ken first met in February 1981. They have been inseparable ever since. They married in May 1982.

Becky worked 32 years as a nurse anesthetist at St. Dominic’s Hospital, Methodist Rehabilitation Center, and the University Medical Center. She was past President of the Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

Becky was the best person, woman, wife, mom, grandma (Honey), friend, aunt, in-law anyone ever had. There was nothing she couldn’t cook, nothing she couldn’t fix, no “A” line she couldn’t put in. There was no joke she wouldn’t tell. There was no costume she couldn’t sew. No furniture she couldn’t rehab. No wall she couldn’t paint. No sod she couldn’t bust. She was physically stronger than men.

She wore a perpetual smile and was always willing to help anyone. She loved her work in the operating room and made days enjoyable for all her fellow nurses and staff. She made life fun for everyone around her.

We hate Alzheimer’s. This cruel disease came on her July of 2014. It is called the “long goodbye.” It robbed her and our family of so much, but Alzheimer’s will not have the final say so in Becky’s life or in the life hereafter. It may have taken her memory, but it did not take her love, her smile, her heart, her spirit, her soul, the core of who she was. She was still Becky. Jesus had that, and He has completed his earthly work in her.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 EVS

So, the “long goodbye?” Maybe in a way it was, but a short time when compared to eternity. So, we say, “See you in a little while mom/Becky.”

She is survived by her husband Ken Fairly; her children Graham Fairly (Graham), Rebecca Fairly Blakeney (Jeremy), and Anna Fairly Walters (Alan). Her grandchildren include Jolene Blakeney, Bo Blakeney, Ben Fairly, Wes Fairly, Fairly Walters, and Wise Walters. Other survivors include her brother David (Lynn) Gerhard and family, her nephew Kevin (Jessica) Gerhard and family; her sister Marsha Kimsey and family, and countless cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family is indebted to the wonderful staff and caregivers, nurses and staff at Cooperwood Sr Living where Becky had resided the past 4 years.

Special thanks to those in the trenches including Nelva Jean, Annie, Sheronda, Dinah, Graceyn, Amiya, Anita, Leslie, Amanda, Kathy, Christina, Leona, Yazmin, Net, Stefanie, Airrianna, Kyla, Barbra, Nita, Ebony, Minnie, Michala , and others that have slipped my mind.

Thanks also to Compassus Hospice Care.

In lieu of flowers, scatter kindness like Becky always did.

Visitation and funeral will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi

1390 N State Street, Jackson MS 39202 on Thursday, July 2nd.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 in Miller Hall. Service to immediately follow in the sanctuary at 11:00.