Rebecca Ryan "Becky" Pillsbury broke the bonds of earth on September 19, 2021 after a courageous 13-year battle with cancer.

She led a wonderful life for almost 70 years, facing each day, each challenge, and each situation with a smile on her beautiful face and a quiet, calm countenance.  She was born in Dallas, Texas to Randy and Elizabeth Ryan in October of 1951.  She grew up in the same house before moving to Trinity University in San Antonio in 1970.  She majored in Deaf Education and excelled in the classroom.  She met her future husband in September of 1970 and she married 2LT Jim Pillsbury in January of 1974.

They started on a journey together in the Army that saw them move 21 times in 38 years, including stints in Washington State; Ft Rucker, AL; Ft Eustis VA (twice); Korea; Ft Campbell, KY (3 times for a total of 12 years); Germany (twice); Ft Leavenworth, KS; Fort Drum, NY; Carlisle, PA; New Cumberland, PA; Northern VA (3 times); and Redstone Arsenal (twice).  She taught deaf education and special education for 26 years in 8 different school districts, and was selected teacher of the year in Hopkinsville, KY in 1983.

She raised two wonderful children, Michael and Katherine, and put being a mother above all else.  She always had Rice Krispy treats waiting for them when they came home from the first day of school, and had endless patience for homework and the occasional fight.  Her children credit their positive outlooks and successes to her amazing skills as a mother.

She also performed magnificently as an Army Wife.  From moving her family 21 times (including children and pets, and sometimes all by herself), navigating life while her husband served overseas, and serving as a lynchpin in many Army Family communities, she was a true source of experience and support to those around her.  She was the First Lady of Redstone Arsenal from 2003-2007 and made a significant, positive impact on the entire Team Redstone community.

Becky loved life.  She was an inspirational woman who never met a stranger, loved singing and dancing, and was talented at both.  Becky was equally at home in the impoverished village of Chuluc, Guatemala (where she visited on numerous occasions as part of Locust Grove Baptist Church's missionary team) as she was at the fanciest of military soirees.  Her kindness and empathy were renowned, her smile and laughter the best kind of contagious, and her spaghetti sauce legendary.

Becky's passion for helping others was seen in her charitable work.  In Kentucky, she helped co-found The Dream Factory which grants wishes for chronically or terminally ill children.  More recently, Becky co-founded Still Serving Veterans which is a Huntsville-based non-profit organization geared towards honoring veterans and their families by empowering them through counseling, career mentorship and education.  She also served on the Board of Directors for the ARC of Madison County including as Chair of the Board.

The world is a little dimmer with her gone, but we encourage you all to pick up the torch and continue to honor and remember her lasting impact on the children she taught, the military families she supported, and those fortunate enough to have her in their lives. She often said, "Try to be the bright spot in someone's day."  Anyone who was ever lucky enough to meet Becky knew that she was just that – the bright spot for everyone in her life.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 22nd from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Berryhill Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, September 23rd at 1:00 PM at Locust Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Robbie White officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the familly asks that donations be made to Still Serving Veterans or The Arc of Madison County.