903-564-3800

In loving memory

Meador Funeral Home – Whitesboro

Visitation –

Monday, June 21, 2021 – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Meador Funeral Home

401 Hwy 377 North

Whitesboro, TX 76273

Funeral Service –

Tuesday, June 22, 2021 – 2:00 Pm

Collinsville Church of Christ

201 Walnut St

Collinsville, TX 76233

Interment –

Collinsville Cemetery

Blain St

Collinsville, TX 76233

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Funeral services for Dorothy “Rebecca” Denton, 83, of Collinsville, Texas, will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at 2pm, at the Collinsville Church of Christ with Ricky Patterson and Jack Jerman officiating.  Interment will follow at Collinsville Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, June 21, 2021, at Meador Funeral Home Chapel in Whitesboro, Texas.  She passed away at her home, Wednesday night, June 16, 2021.

Rebecca was born to Hugh and Dorothy Hite on July 28, 1937, in Collinsville, Texas. She married Norman Denton, November 21, 1962, in McKinney, Texas, and they enjoyed 53 years together happily working hard, raising their family and serving their community in Collinsville.

She grew up in Collinsville and graduated from Collinsville High School, where she was active in almost everything that was available, from academics to athletics, gaining poise and confidence to attempt just about anything life handed her.  She excelled in the classroom and on the basketball court as a fierce guard alongside teammates who still hold UIL scoring records in the state of Texas for 6-on-6 girls’ basketball.  She graduated from the University of North Texas with B.S. and M.Ed. degrees, and pursued advanced studies at Texas Women’s University and the University of Hawaii.  She began her teaching career in Fontana, California, and eventually returned to Texas and taught at Irving High School, Richardson High School and Whitesboro Middle School.  She was a well-loved teacher of English, Science, Physical Education and Career Exploration for 25 years.

Rebecca was a native Texan through and through, proud to have been born and raised in Grayson County, but she also loved traveling the world, including Europe, Russia, North Africa, Spain, the Caribbean and Australia, as well as Hawaii, Alaska and many other states.  Singing and music were also important in her life, so she was happy to combine her wonderful, God-given soprano voice with her love of traveling as part of the International Christian Singers, under the direction of Dr. Wayne Hinds of Lubbock Christian University.

Known for lifelong active volunteering, in 1976, Rebecca became a charter member of the New Horizon Club of Collinsville, a local Texas Federated Women’s Club (TFWC).  In 2004, she was elected President of the TFWC Trinity District.  She was instrumental in establishing the Collinsville City Park and was named TFWC’s Outstanding Clubwoman Volunteer in 2007 for her work in helping establish the Collinsville Community Library.  She served as the Library Board president and led a volunteer staff in planning and carrying out the library activities, while working with the mayor and city council to keep the library running smoothly.  She may be best known for transplanting her beloved bluebonnets to a flower bed in front of the library so the city mowers wouldn’t mow them down!

Rebecca served for nine years as a member of the Collinsville ISD school board.  She was happy to give back to the school she loved so dearly – Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate!  Rebecca was indeed a life-long educator and learner.  She leaves behind a great legacy through the accomplishments of the children she has taught and guided, not only her students, but also her own children and grandchildren.

Rebecca was a member of several professional organizations including Delta Psi Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma, Texas Classroom Teachers Association and Texas Retired Teachers Association.  Other clubs and organizations she participated in included the Herb and Antique Rose Society of Sherman and SMA Singers.  She enjoyed exploring family genealogy and her research met requirements to join Daughters of the American Revolution.

She loved gardening and was an avid sports enthusiast, enjoying water skiing, snow skiing and swimming.  Rebecca was a certified water safety instructor.  She taught private swimming lessons with her family to students of all ages in her backyard pool for over 30 years.

Children and family were always a priority to Rebecca.  Her most important accomplishments and purpose in her life were to help mold young minds and bodies into wonderful Christian adults.  She was an active member of the Collinsville Church of Christ, where she taught Bible classes and assisted with ladies and youth events for many years.  She was a camp counselor for over 25 years at Pettijohn Springs Christian Camp in Madill, OK, and served as a member of the Board of Directors.

Her mission was to treasure her family and friends; to thank, seek and follow God and His word; to seize every day as if it were her last because tomorrow may not come; and to continually learn, serve and share knowledge.

Rebecca is survived by two daughters, Debbie Denton of Carrollton, and Tammy Davis and husband, Rance of Sherman; son, Randal Denton and wife, Amy of Tioga; five grandchildren, Jake, Justin and Kayla Davis of Sherman; David and Sarah Denton of Tioga; and brother, Michael Hugh Hite of Sherman.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Denton; her parents, Hugh and Dorothy Hite; and sister, Kathleen Heffley.

Pallbearers will be Jake Davis, Justin Davis, David Denton, Kenneth Hite, Jared Light, Harold Tamplen, Marvin Lowery, and Randy Woody.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Rebecca Denton to the Scholarship Fund at Pettijohn Springs Christian Camp, PO Box 440, Madill, OK  73446 or www.pettijohnsprings.com.