Rebekah Nichole Lindsay-Perez

REBEKAH NICHOLE LINDSAY-PEREZ responded to the call of our Heavenly Father and left us for eternal rest on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Abundant Hospice Care Home in San Antonio, Texas.

Born to Hattie Lillian (Williams) Wright and Jerome Allen Lindsay, Rebekah was the youngest daughter of two children. Her love for her older brother, Jerome Allen Lindsay II, better known as “Deuce” was never ending. The two of them were not only siblings but confidants, friends, and protectors of each other. Though they teased each other often, any tears would only bring hugs and loving words.

Rebekah was the epitome of determination and grace in education- both in receiving and then gifting her learning to others, impacting many lives. She graduated from John Marshall High School in 1996. She went on to pursue higher education and graduated from the University of Texas of San Antonio in 2002 where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Rebekah earned a Masters of Arts in Education from East Carolina University in 2015. Later that year, she was honored to become a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society. She also received her substitute teacher certification from Northside Independent School District in 2016. These educational credentials served as the launch pads in her gifting education to many people she encountered.

Rebekah devoted tremendous energy, talent, and resources to her work endeavors. She was an outstanding employee and trainer, and took on challenges at a “drop of a hat.” She was ready, at a moment’s notice to travel on any job assignment to enhance her skills and further her knowledge.

Civic commitments were very important to Rebekah because she received gratification from helping others. She researched the use of rain barrels to reduce water consumption in her community and was influential in getting others in her neighborhood to implement this strategy. She also volunteered as an assistant in the Pathology Department of the Dallas Veterans Administration and lead in the Volunteer Department of Wilford Hall Medical Center, and at a long-term care facility.

TRAVEL, that’s the word that best describes one of Rebekah’s greatest passions. Mother and daughter adventures to estate and garage sales, and just shopping were weekly events. She would even send sale notifications to neighbors. Family trips to Disney Land, Disney World and Hawaii, visiting historic American sites (Black history and antiques), and attending Broadway plays were top on her list. As a young child, Rebekah was always ready to pack her bags for the next international foray with her dad Jerome, step-mom Demetria and brother Deuce. This included trips to England, France, Australia, Spain, Hawaii, and multiple trips to her favorite destination, Italy. A history buff, Rebekah could spend hours in museums, as her dad and step-mom appealed to her that every plaque could not be read. Highlights for Rebekah also included viewing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, the Healing Tree in the Australian Outback, the Roman Colosseum, and eating gelato on the Spanish Steps of Rome.

Rebekah’s pride and joy were her pet dogs- Smurf, Rasputin, and Lillian who honored her with obedience, love, and affection throughout her life. They shared a bond that was apparent to everyone who knew them.

Rebekah accepted Christ at an early age and Christ remained her center throughout her life. It was at church that Rebekah met her love, Joseph (Joe) Edward Perez. As a member of the church choir, Joe jokingly would say he “was singing to her”. Their relationship bloomed into love, engagement, and marriage. On June 12, 2021, they celebrated their love with a beautiful peacock themed wedding before close family and friends. What an awesome couple and event!!

Six months later devastating words were spoken to all who knew Rebekah - a cancer diagnosis. Cancer never stopped her. It might have slowed her down, but Joe was always there to lift her up. Despite the physical and emotional toll of her illness and treatments, Rebekah was a beacon of encouragement to other patients at the MD Anderson Infusion Center. It was not unusual to find her in the waiting area offering empathy and encouragement, such as gently but firmly reminding a new frustrated patient of the goal for their visit and what to expect, or teaching other patients how to use the computerized medical record system. She took advantage of every opportunity she observed to encourage positivity and resilience. She was strong and never gave up.

Rebekah leaves to cherish her memory: a loving husband- Joseph E. Perez; her dear mother- Hattie Wright; devoted father - Jerome A. Lindsay; step mom- Demetria Lindsay; her loving brother Jerome (Deuce) A Lindsay II, and sister in law-Rebekah A. Lindsay; one niece- Alyssa Haven Lindsay; two nephews- Jaden Allen Lindsay and Dane Austin Lindsay; one great nephew- Kai Alexander Lindsay; godmother-Toy (Raymond) Garcia; step-sister Erica (Devon) Dixon; special lifelong friend- Kermora Latice “Squeaky” (Robert) Russell; her precious dogs- Lillian and Rasputin; scores of family and adopted family members, including many aunts, uncles, and cousins; friends, colleagues, and a multitude of neighbors make up Rebekah’s family tree and share fond memories of her life.

A short life well lived!

We miss you dearly Rebekah and we will love you forever.

Love, Your Family

Acknowledgement

The family of Rebekah Nichole Lindsay-Perez would like to express our appreciation to the Medical Teams of the University of Texas Health/MD Anderson Healthcare System for your compassionate care and professionalism given to our beloved Rebekah during her illness. Special thank you to spiritual leader and personal friend, Rev. Johnny Toy for your support and guidance to Rebekah and immediate family members prior to and during her illness.

For our family and friends, words cannot fully encompass the many expressions of love, concern, and acts of kindness shown to Rebekah and our family. We thank you for the encouraging visits, the comforting calls, the gifts of your labor and personal care, the lovely cards, food and beautiful floral arrangements and the sincere words of solace. We are finding strength in knowing earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. May God bless you richly for blessing us!

The Rebekah Nichole Lindsay-Perez Family