Rebecca Oakes "Becky" Guffey, 79

Rebecca Oakes “Becky” Guffey, 79, passed away on Friday, December 23^nd 2022 at Atrium Health Cleveland. She was born February 4^th 1943 in Greensboro, NC to Lee and Edith Oakes. She graduated from Rankin High School in 1960, and married Harvey Leon Guffey in 1961. They moved to Ellenboro, NC in 1968, and were happily married for almost 54 years prior to his death in December 2014. She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Becky was a member of Hopewell Methodist Church, the Rutherford County Cattlemen’s Association, and a charter member of the Hopewell-Hollis Ruritan Club. She retired as a hairdresser of nearly 60 years serving in both her home beauty shop and several Rutherford and Cleveland County Nursing Homes, was an accomplished gardener and cattle farmer in Rutherford County for over 50 years, and most significantly was a superb maternal figure to her children and extended family members and many others who were considered and treated as family members. She received various awards and accomplishments including:

• Pianist and Organist at Hopewell United Methodist Church during the 1970’s

• 2003 – Conservation Farm Family of the Year by Rutherford Soil and Water Conservation District

• 2009 - Forage Producer of the Year – Rutherford County Cattlemen’s Association

 She is survived by her daughter, Tina Collis (Wayne) of Gordonsville, VA, her son Harvey, Jr. (Wanda) and daughter Tonya Bailey (Roger) of Ellenboro, NC; and her sisters Jeanette Simpson, Sarah Luffman (Archie) and Sally Oakes of the greater Greensboro, NC area. Additionally, she is survived by 10 grandchildren: Leslie Hanley (Duke), Melissa Call (Chris), Justin Collis (Rochelle); Matthew Guffey (Katie), Katie Goodrich (Timothy), Chad Ridings (Annie), Aaron Ridings (Laura), Heather Lynch, AJ Lynch (Kaitlin), and Alan Michael Bailey (Michelle); 20 great-grandchildren: Taylor, Rebekah and Alexis Call, Skylar and Blake Hanley, Andy Collis, Will, Calvin and Lydia Guffey, Luke, Emma, Isaac, John, Lily, Caleb and Josie Ridings, Easton Lynch, and Thomas, Tristyn and Gavin Bailey; 10 nieces and nephews, many other relatives and close friends, and her constant little companion Nellie.

A Graveside Service will be conducted at 2:00 pm Thursday, December 29, 2022 at the Hopewell Community Cemetery. Pallbearers are Duke Harley, Chris Call, Justin Collis, Matthew Guffey, Timothy Goodrich, Chad Ridings, Aaron Ridings, A.J. Lynch, and Alan Michael Bailey.

The Visitation will be from 1 pm until 2pm Thursday at the cemetery prior to the service. The family does want everyone attending to be aware that the family has had some recent covid positive exposure, please practice safe distancing.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Rutherford County Senior Center (Meals on Wheels) at 193 Callahan-Koon Rd, Ste 132 Spindale, NC 28160 or the Rutherford County Cattlemen’s Association at 193 Callahan-Koon Rd, Ste 164 Spindale, NC 28160.

Washburn & Dorsey Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences @www.washburndorsey.com.