In Loving Memory

Rebecca “Becky” King Wilkins, beloved wife, mother, nana, friend, mentor, and music teacher, passed from this life on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024, her husband and son at her side.

Rebecca Darlene King was born February 23rd, 1945 to Theo and Irene (Shinpaugh) King of Stearns, Kentucky. She attended Union College and graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1966. During this time she married her husband, Phil Wilkins, on August 13th, 1965.

Becky taught vocal music at Graham Local Schools in St. Paris, Ohio from 1966-1968 before going on to obtain her Master’s degree in music education from The Ohio State University in 1969. From 1969 to 1980, she taught vocal music at Bolich Junior High/Middle School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio before becoming the music director at Cuyahoga Fall High School, where she taught until her retirement in 2002.

Her passions teaching high school music included directing the high school musical each year, leading and directing the select A Capella choir, and directing and competing with the award-winning showchoir, the Melodymen & Melodettes (M&M’s). She was proud to be able to consider so many of her former students lifelong friends.

During her career she was recognized time and again for her excellence and impact and was named one of the 58 most influential teachers in the United States in Newsweek magazine in 1989. In 1992, Becky received the Rita Dove award for creativity in education, and she was named Outstanding Educator in Cuyahoga Falls by the Parent Teacher Student Association in 1994. She was a proud member of several educational organizations including the National Education Association, American Choral Directors’ Association, Music Educators’ National Conference, Ohio Education Association, Ohio Music Education Association, and Cuyahoga Falls Education Association.

Becky loved to travel, visiting most of the United States with her family and spent a summer in Europe and a summer in Africa with her husband. Singing was her passion, and she enjoyed performing as a member of Key Chorale in Sarasota, Florida. She also loved crafting and going to local craft fairs in Ohio to sell her creations. She loved spoiling her grandchildren and going on countless adventures with her husband.

Becky is survived by her husband Phil, her son and daughter-in-law, Nick and Lindsay, and her Grandchildren, Aoife and Maebh. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Don and Ted, and her sister Mary Lou.

Condolences may be sent to:

1520 Glen Oaks Dr E

Building C, #348

Sarasota, FL 34232

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to gofundme campaign shown here, proceeds of which are intended to start the Rebecca K Wilkins Vocal Music Education and Performance Scholarship Fund.

A celebration of life will be held on July 27th, 2024 at (tentatively) 2pm at:

Cuyahoga Falls High School Auditorium

2300 4th St.

Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221