Rebekah Clair Barnhill Chiesa, 78, of Llano died March 17, 2015

Rebekah “Becky” Clair Barnhill Chiesa was born in Houston to Nora Rebekah Stitt and Lewis Dyer Barnhill on July 23, 1936. She departed her life here on Earth on March 17, 2015, with her three daughters and her first grandson by her side. She was 78 years old.

Early in her life, her family made their way to Garland, Texas, and put down their roots. She attended Garland High School and was a member of the Dashing Debs. While in school, she met Albert George Chiesa, and after their high school courtship, she married him on Dec. 18, 1953. They were married for 42 years before his passing in January 1995. While George was in the Army, they lived for a brief period of time in Queens, New York. After George left the army, they moved to Rowlett, Texas, where they eventually built their home of 52 years on Miller Road. She lived there until this past spring, when she sold it to a sweet family who has remodeled it and brought it back to a home full of life.

Becky began a long career at South Garland High School in 1973, when she went to work in the counselor’s office as the secretary to the counselors. She had an impact on so many lives while working there. It was said recently that she had a servant’s heart, and it could not be better stated. She loved the people she worked with and most assuredly the students. Her passion was helping the seniors applying for scholarships, but that is only one of many, many ways in which she contributed to so many lives. After 38 years, she finally decided to retire (kicking and screaming.)

In April 2014, Becky relocated to the Hill Country in Llano, where she purchased a five-acre tract of the most beautiful property covered in bluebonnets and trees. It had a home with decks on the front and back, allowing her to watch her deer, foxes and birds of all types, which quickly became her new favorite pastime.

Becky had a soul filled with adventure, and she traveled to many places around the world over the years. She traveled as far as the Polynesian Islands, Australia, Africa and Bangkok — just to name a few. She shared this love of travel with her friends and family with the beautiful photos she took and archived in her many photograph albums.

Becky was preceded in death by her parents; brother; husband, Albert George Chiesa; and beloved grandson Justin Casey Vaught-Brown.

She is survived by daughter Kimetha Lori Brown and son-in-law Chris Brown of Georgetown; daughter Robin Virginia Chiesa and lifetime partner Russell Baros of Llano; and daughter Stacy Elizabeth Solomon and son-in-law John F. Solomon of McKinney. She is also survived by five grandchildren David (39), Katey (29), Jody (23), Sami (15) and Kamy (9); and three great-grandchildren with one on the way.

A service was 1 p.m. March 21 at Williams Funeral Home in Garland. She was buried next to George in Big A Cemetery in Rowlett.