Rebecca Joan Skinner of Elizabeth, Arkansas, passed away January 9, 2021, in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 73. She was born December 27, 1947, in Champaign, Illinois, the daughter of Leslie and Mary Conover Barcroft. She married John Skinner in 1973, in Tinley Park, Illinois. She graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Education and subsequently taught 8th grade in Joliet, Illinois, for more than 40 years. A passionate educator, she taught everything from physical education to science and was one of the first females in the State of Illinois to teach Drivers Education. When Rebecca was a Physical Education teacher, her class was all girls. She was involved in making all physical education classes in Illinois co-ed. She loved being a teacher and loved her students. When asked about her husband John, her Soulmate and best friend, it brought a tear to her eye. Rebecca shared that when they retired and moved to Arkansas, they bought quad runners and spent time in the woods riding their four wheelers. She enjoyed fishing and boating with her husband.
Rebecca is survived by her brother, Perry (Mary) Barcroft of Brick, NJ, niece, Shaynie (Nicholas) Edwards of Charlotte, NC; nephew, Ryan Barcroft of San Francisco, CA; great-niece, Macy Edwards and; niece-in-law, Debbie Pechos of Palos Hills, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
A family gathering will be held at Rebecca's home on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at 1:00 PM. Due to current restrictions, masks are required.
Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas.