Rebecca Witcher

Rebecca Ball Witcher, 74, a life-time resident of North Little Rock passed from this life to eternal life on December 3, 2020 with her family by her side after a brave battle with cancer.  She was born to the late James Herbert “Curly” and the late Atheta Shuffield (Fefa) Ball.  She married the love of her life, Murry Witcher, on June 8, 1968.  They have three sons: Andy of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Allen of North Little Rock, Arkansas; and Daniel Prior of Sao Paolo, Brazil and have been blessed with two grandsons, Caleb and Whit Witcher. 

Becky grew up living in Park Hill.  However, at some point, Indian Hills was developed.  She loved talking about how she and her daddy walked the land and handpicked the lot where her parents would build a house.  Many years later, she and Murry remodeled that house and made it their own.   

 She was a member of Park Hill Baptist Church, Board Member NLR Wildcat Foundation, Member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and a Member of the NLRSD Retired Employees Association.

Becky was a UCA Bear, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Special Education in 1968. She was a special education teacher for 40 years in the NLRSD, during her career she was named NLRSD Teacher of the Year.

Becky’s uncle had a place in Texas on Lake Sam Rayburn.  The family would load up the car and pull the boat there for a fun filled, memory filled vacation nearly every year.

When Allen was around ten years old, he was on traveling soccer teams. Becky would drive the suburban and take a crew of moms and sons on weekend road trips to the games.  Because of Allen being prone to accidents, Becky always said that she knew every emergency room in Jackson, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Memphis!  The memories they made on all those soccer trips were priceless!

Every summer was a Dauphin Island summer.  The family would go to Dauphin Island, Alabama and rent a house on the beach.  Becky always called it the Redneck Riviera!  Becky loved to sit on the deck and read books as she listened to the waves!  One summer she and Andy visited the U. of Alabama Dauphin Island Sea Lab.   Andy learned that he could spend summers there in a program for Juniors in High School.  All his teachers highly recommended him and he was accepted!  Becky witnessed the passion build in Andy for Marine Science and she supported him totally.  

She was a NLRHS Band Booster parent and made her fair share of popcorn at the concession stands at NLRHS stadium and the designated Razorback games at War Memorial so the band would have money for new instruments and uniforms.  Andy proudly graduated from NLRHS and went to the University of Alabama where he was a member of the Million Dollar marching band majoring in Marine Science and Biology!  The trips to Tuscaloosa to see him perform were so rewarding to her and the family! Andy was an avid swimmer throughout his life and has continued his love for the sport as a coach with his mother as his biggest fan. 

Becky was Murry’s right hand “man” when it came to elections for the NLR School Board and the NLR City Council. She walked door to door, put signs in yards, and made phone calls.  Even though Murry was the candidate, she had the same drive to make NLR a better community and place to live. 

Becky and Murry were both single children so did not have all the aunts and uncles and cousins around that some families do.  One Christmas, in 1975, they invited some friends and neighbors to join them on Christmas Eve.  Becky, Murry, Andy, and Allen would prepare all the food and polish the silver!  The next year all the friends and neighbors wanted to be with them on Christmas Eve again.  Thus, it only took about 2 years for it to become a family tradition that friends and neighbors would celebrate with them on Christmas Eve.  Each year the Witchers invited additional friends and neighbors and before they knew it, they had a complete house full of people that were loved and considered family every year!  

Becky enjoyed life, loved her family and loved her many friends.  She brightened the lives of all who knew her. She always had a smile on her face.  The family would like to thank the staff at UAMS, her doctors, and her good friend Jayne White for all their help and support.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be to the North Little Rock Friends of Animals, #1 Championship Dr., North Little Rock, AR 72118 or the North Little Rock Wildcat Foundation, PO Box 94926, North Little Rock, AR 72190.

Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at the Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home. If you cannot attend, the visitation will be live-streamed on their Facebook page. Please post your memories of Becky on the Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home website. 

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170.