Rebecca (Becky) Gober, 69, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 17th, 2016. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Frances Porterfield, her father, Col. Samuel Porterfield, and her husband, Dick Gober.
Prior to residing in Gainesville, Florida, Becky lived in Montgomery, Alabama, where she raised her daughters, Jennifer Blake and Susan Blake Norton. She graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received her Masters from Tulane University.
Along with her two daughters, Becky is survived by her grandchildren, Luke and Marlowe Norton, son-in-law Chuck Norton; step-son Randy Gober, step-daughter Ashley Billeri, grandchildren Ava and Bennett Billeri; her brother Don Porterfield and sister-in-law Betty Porterfield, niece Karen Kearns and nephew Sam Porterfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193) is assisting the family with their arrangements.
Betsy Shelburne (1965)
One of my favorite pictures of Becky... she listened
Betsy Shelburne (1965)
A memorial service for Becky will be held on Saturday, September 24th, at 2pm at First United Methodist Church in Douglasville GA, which is west of Atlanta. That is about 2 1/2 hours from Montgomery, The address is
6167 Prestley Mill Rd, Douglasville, GA 30134
Clyde Hunter (1965)
Rest in peace Becky. You were my friend and always had a smile.
Clyde
Shelley Huddleston (Stewart) (1965)
Becky always had the most winsome, impish smile. The world will miss her.
Kathy Williams (Coxwell) (1965)
Becky was smart, gifted, and versatile. From our young days in Girl Scout Troop 155 to listening to her play guitar and sing at Lanier with Anne Atherton and Cathy Jones, she was always giving. Such a bright light dimmed too soon.
Beverly Smith (Patterson) (1966)
We studied piano from the same teacher, Madelyn Bonnifield, for many many years. She lived in my neighborhood when Jennifer and Susan were small, and I remember fondly her coming over and rocking and bouncing my colicky newborn baby when I was too exhausted to go any further. Does anyone know how she died?
Cathy Jones (Price) (1965)
I treasure the memories of singing and playing guitar with Becky, studying guitar and spanish on a summer high school trip to Monterrey, many girl scout activities, and especially all the fun we had singing with Anne Atherton Randolph as members of the ABC Trio. Many good times, many good memories. Peace to All.
Anne Atherton (Randolph) (1965)
Becky's family had a Memorial Service for her in Atlanta, September 24, 2016. Becky was my closest, lifelong friend and I am saddened by her loss. Since I was not able to join her family, I sent this letter that the preacher read at her service. Since this includes so many memories that many of us all share, I include it below. Blessings to everyone. Becky will be greatly missed. Anne
September 24, 2016
Dear Becky’s Family and Friends,
I so wish that I could be with you today to celebrate our dear Becky, and am happy that Ron and I were able to drive from Denver to Gainesville a couple of times to visit her. I send this letter to share the love we all have for Becky and to help honor her day. When I began writing this note, I wrote over 20 pages of memories. I promise todays message is not that long.
Becky was my dearest and closest friend from third grade when at Girl Scout camp we wore the same matching airplane printed shirt and red shorts every day, and came home to our mothers’ surprise with neatly packed, very clean other outfits that we never touched. We wanted to look alike through the whole camp and we did. Girl Scouts was important to us, with Mrs. Porterfield as our leader and my life mentor as well. We were so involved that we even wore Girl Scout uniforms to High School, quite a dare. We attended the Girls Scout Roundup, a Conference in New York, and Becky went on to spend a summer with a family in Peru. She was matched with a family they said was equal to her status in the US, so she lived with the Peruvian CEO of Coca Cola.
Through Girl Scouts, Becky and I learned to be Song Leaders and we led over a 1000 voices at the Girl Scout Round Up in Vermont. Together we could sing over 50 songs in a row knowing which one followed which and sang nonstop on trips to the New York State Fair, on the River Boat trip, to look at colleges, to visit her Grandmother Porterfield in Shreveport for her famous peanut-butter fudge, to visit Don at the Citadel, and to the beach. We sang every song in the exact order in perfect harmony. At the First Methodist Church in Montgomery, Becky and I sang “I Waited for the Lord”, the same Mendelssohn duet that Susan and Jennifer also performed.
We were in The Music Man and The King and I at the Montgomery Little Theater, and not having time to finish homework and get enough rest, we would wear our sprayed black hair to school the next day. Becky was an outstanding musician, playing the piano, guitar, and then organ at Salem College where she and Betsy Shelburne became friends. Becky, Cathy Jones and I sang folks songs and created the ABC Trio. We were so good that we were asked to make a demo in Nashville. Our mothers thought that was not dignified, never told us about the offer, and sent us to college instead.
Becky and I were like sisters. When Becky married Dick, the florist did not get the flowers to the wedding on time, so I borrowed flowers from the church sanctuary and as her wedding began, I slowly walked flowers to the Chapel altar like that was a part of the ceremony. So I hope todays flowers arrived on time. Becky was in my wedding and when I married Ron, she wore her own wedding dress for her brides-maid dress.
Becky and I did everything together, beginning in 3rd grade. Each year after that, I would call to ask her how old we were. One of the best things about Becky was that she was always there through thick and through thin. We could tell each other anything. When my brother Jim Atherton passed away, Becky supported me. Many years ago, Don and I helped Becky move back to Montgomery. After Don got the truck packed, Jennifer, who was about three years old, clapped and cheered, “Yeah, Don! Yeah, Don!” Today, I say, “Yeah, Betty and Don, and Jennifer and Susan, and all her family” for taking such good care of Becky when she needed your support.
Our Becky was smart, funny and fun, and my oldest and most loyal friend. She will be greatly missed. I send much love to her family and to my forever sister and closest friend.
With much care and love,
Anne Atherton Randolph Denver Colorado September 24, 2016
Mary Ann Herbert (Harris) (1965)
What beautiful tributes to Becky. She was such a sweet, dear friend and so many will miss her. I kept up with her until she moved to Montgomery and then lost touch with her and her daughters. Enjoyed seeing her while she lived in Birmingham.