Becky was born on November 2, 1949 to John Wilson Ross and Jimmie Ruth Ross, in Fort Worth, Texas. Her parents were missionaries, and she spent her childhood living in Central America, Mexico, and ultimately graduated high school in El Paso in 1967. She went on to attend the University of Texas at El Paso on a full music scholarship, where she completed degrees in Spanish and English, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1971. She later completed her master’s degree in social work from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth in 1976. Becky had a long career in education and worked with all age groups, early childhood through high school, teaching general subjects, music, ESL, and Spanish. She retired from Crowley ISD in 2015.
In addition to being a devoted educator, she was also a gifted linguist, and was bilingual from an early age. She was also a talented musician, and was a skilled singer, percussionist, and pianist. Her life was guided by her love for the Lord, her family, and her community. Throughout her life, she used her gifts in service of everyone whom her life touched.
She had three children: James Martin Petty III, born 1976, Travis Ross Petty, born 1980, and Christina Renee Carter (now Riley), born 1987.
Becky is survived by her sister, Judy Taylor, her brother, Gary Ross, her children, James Petty, Travis Petty, and Christina Riley, and her grandchildren, Lain Green, Meela Petty, Mikayla Petty, and Freya Riley.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
