Rebecca Ruth Deloney, born March 25, 1929, in Mineral Springs, Ark., Howard County to Mary Ellen Davis Deloney and Enoch A.D. Deloney, the third of five children. Two sisters, Cleo Deloney Bullock (Melbert) and Clara Bell Deloney Reed (Cecil). Two brothers, Leo Deloney and Enoch Parnell Deloney (Zether Mae) all preceded her in death.
Rebecca united with the Flint Hill C.M.E. Church at the age of 13. She served as Church Secretary, Sunday School Teacher, Director of Christian Education, and a member of the Trustee Board.
She was the Valedictorian of her high school graduation class. She received a four-year academic scholarship to attend AM&N College (UAPB) in Pine Bluff, Ark., and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. She continued her education at the Johnson School of Business, Little Rock, Ark., and received a diploma.
Ms. Deloney’s teaching career began Feb. 28, 1953, at Central High School (Chicot County), Lake Village, Ark. (5 years), and continued at Simmons High School, Okolona, Ark. (2 years), Howard County Training School, Tollette, Ark. (10 years), and Saratoga High School (18 years), Saratoga, Ark.
After a 35 year teaching career, she retired from the education profession on June 15, 1987. She was elected to serve on the Mineral Springs School Board of Education on March 10, 1987, and continued to serve in this position for 10 years. She was a member of the Howard County Teacher’s Association and served as president for two years.
Nieces Dorcas Bullock May, Ollie Faye Adams, and Ellen Kaye Reed and nephews Ivory Parnell Bullock, Glenn Earl (Tony) Reed, Melbert Bullock, Jr., neighbor and friend, Jack Tollett preceded her in death.
She leaves nieces Rita Reed and Sharon Maxwell; nephews Cecil Edward Reed, Houston Reed, Sr., Eddie Charles Reed, Eugene Reed, Michael Reed, David Reed, and Jeffrey Reed.
Some of her most cherished memories are left in the hearts of great nieces Chandra Young, Lisa Goodson, Jessica Reed; great nephew Melbert (Jay) Bullock, III; great- great nieces Christian Young, Taylor Kay Coulter, Makenzie Wyatt and many more great, great-great, great-great-great nieces and nephews.
Her devoted great niece, Melba May, faithfully cared for her in her final years.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Northside Church of God in Christ, Mineral Springs, Ark.
Visitation will start 11 a.m. and funeral services at 12 p.m. Internment will be at Flint Hill Cemetery.
We are asking in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Flint Hill Cemetery Fund at Diamond State Bank, Mineral Springs, Ark.
