Rebecca Rhea, 76, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family.
Rebecca was born on June 5, 1950, in Clinton, Kentucky, to the late Elzie Jackson and Ruby “Ro Ro” Jackson.
Rebecca was a member of Gospel Assembly Church and was of the Pentecostal faith. She worked for the Paducah school system for many years as a bus driver before retiring. Even after retirement, Rebecca continued caring for others and worked as a caregiver until her recent hospitalization. Caring for others came naturally to Rebecca, and she did so with a loving and nurturing spirit.
Rebecca was exceptionally gifted with her hands and enjoyed cross-stitching, sewing, and quilting. She looked forward to attending the annual quilt show in Paducah each year. She and her husband, Richard, loved spending time together antiquing and especially enjoyed their trips to Williamsburg, Virginia, and Shaker Village in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
Those who knew Rebecca knew she had her own unique ways of enjoying life. She genuinely loved to vacuum, even if it happened to be two o’clock in the morning. She enjoyed relaxing by her pool and loved tanning, even during the winter months. Rebecca was also an animal lover and adored her four dogs, Chloe, Sophie, Jack, and Baby G.
Above all, Rebecca treasured her family. She was affectionately known as “NaNa” to her grandchildren, who were truly her world.
Rebecca is survived by her husband, Richard Rhea of Paducah; her children, Melissa (Greg) Schell of Kansas City, Bobby (Phillip) Conn of Paris, Tennessee, Opal Renee (Anthony) Taylor of Paducah, and David (Melissa) Rhea of Paducah; one sister, Nellene (Larry) Johnson of Buchanan, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Nathan (Kristen) Smith, Isabella Taylor, Abby Taylor, Gabby Taylor, and Atticus Taylor; four great-grandchildren, Landon Smith, Matthew Shipley, Rayna Smith, and Rylee Smith; her niece, Courtnie (Terriel) Weatherford; and their children, Corey Weatherford, Carly Weatherford, and Cadey Weatherford.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Richie Rhea; one brother, E.C. Jackson; and one grandchild, Seth Smith.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah, with Brother Encil Edmonds, Brother Michael Hunt, and Brother Danny McDonald officiating.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour on Sunday at the funeral home.
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
