Rebecca "Becky" Stewart Smith

Rebecca “Becky” Stewart Smith Rebecca “Becky” Stewart Smith, lovingly known as Becky, Mom, and Meme, passed away peacefully at her home on August 13, 2026, at the age of 76.

Becky was born on December 14, 1949, in Savannah, Georgia, to Robert “Bobby” Stewart and Bertha Stewart. She grew up in Isle Hope with her brother, Robert Stewart, and sister, Sandra Sell. Her love of family, which began in childhood, remained at the center of her life.

On October 24, 1970, Becky married her beloved husband, Jerry Arthur Smith. They shared 56 years of marriage, remaining faithful and devoted to one another throughout their life together. After living in Savannah during the early years of their marriage, Becky and Jerry moved to Effingham County in 1980, where they made their home and raised their family.

Becky worked at Savannah Iron Fence, Effingham County High School, and retired from the Effingham County Extension Office. During her time at the Extension Office, she made many lifelong friends and had the opportunity to touch the lives of countless children through the 4-H program. She was proud of the relationships she built and the positive impact she was able to make in the lives of others. While she valued her career, Becky considered being a wife, mother, and especially a grandmother to be her greatest accomplishments.

She was an extraordinary wife and mother. She was loving, selfless, and always put the needs of others before her own. Becky had a natural desire to make sure everyone she loved was taken care of. She was the person who wanted to know what everyone was doing, whether everyone had what they needed, and whether every important occasion had been celebrated.

Becky was a devoted mother to her daughters, Ginger Kessler and Patsy Owens. She was a proud grandmother to Emma Johnson, Bryson Kessler, Kolton Kessler, Eliza Johnson, and Carver Kessler, who lovingly called her Meme. Being a Meme was one of the greatest joys of her life.

She wanted to be involved in everything her grandchildren did. She attended their ballgames and school events, never missed a birthday, and always made sure their special occasions were celebrated. She especially enjoyed Friday morning breakfasts with her grandchildren, where she could catch up on their lives, enjoy a meal together, and discuss politics. She always wanted to know “what Carver was doing” and took a genuine interest in every part of her grandchildren’s lives.

Family traditions were especially important to Becky. She treasured the annual SMORE (Smith/Moore) lake trip to Elijah Clark and loved traveling with family and friends. She enjoyed going out to eat, drinking iced coffee, reading, cooking, and collecting cookbooks. She found great joy in working in her flowerbeds and feeding the hummingbirds that visited her yard.

Those who knew Becky will remember her for many of the little things that made her uniquely herself. She loved to go places but always wanted to tell the driver what to do. She was certain she should be driving, even when someone else was behind the wheel. She was capable of doing just about anything herself and had a way of making everyone laugh with her determination and personality. And while she believed most things of lesser importance could be done tomorrow, she never put off loving and caring for her family.

Becky’s faith was an important and lasting part of her life. Before she married, she attended Isle Hope United Methodist Church. After her marriage, while living in Savannah, she attended South Gardens Christian Church. Following her move to Effingham County in 1980, she attended Rincon First Christian Church, now Connection Church Rincon. She faithfully hosted and participated in a weekly ladies Bible study. She treasured the friendships and fellowship she shared with those women. Her faith was not simply something she professed; it was evident in the way she lived her life each day.

Becky is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Jerry Arthur Smith; her daughters, Ginger Kessler and her husband, Cal Kessler, and Patsy Owens and her husband, Eric Owens; her beloved grandchildren, Emma Johnson, Bryson Kessler, Kolton Kessler, Eliza Johnson, and Carver Kessler; and her sister, Sandra Sell.

She also leaves behind extended family and dear friends who will deeply miss her love, kindness, and presence in their lives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert “Bobby” Stewart and Bertha Stewart, and her brother, Robert Stewart.

Becky’s greatest legacy is the love she gave so freely. She spent her life making sure her family was cared for, their milestones were celebrated, and they always knew they were loved. She was a faithful wife, a devoted mother, a cherished Meme, a loyal sister, and a woman whose faith guided the way she lived.

For Becky, family was everything.

She was Mom. She was Meme. She was LOVE.

And she will be missed more than words can ever express.

Visitation will be 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2026 at the funeral home followed a memorial service at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to Connection Church Rincon, The Legacy Initiative, https://connection-rincon.churchcenter.com/giving/to/the-legacy-initiative

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421