Rebecca "Becky" Irene Poland

Rebecca “Becky” Irene Poland, 60, of White Deer, passed away Monday, July 25, 2016, in Amarillo. Services are 10:00 AM Friday, July 29, 2016 at First Baptist Church in White Deer with Pastor Alan Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at White Deer Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Becky was born March 8, 1956, in Canyon, Texas, to Lynn and LaDonna Blewett, maternal grandparents Marion “Bud” and Irene Keller and paternal grandparents, Joe and Irene Blewett. She was baptized on Oct. 31, 1965, beginning a life-long and deep relationship with her Lord and Savior. She graduated from Canyon High School in 1974. She married Yale Poland in Canyon on Aug. 23, 1975. One daughter, Beth, was born while they lived in Canyon. She and Beth accompanied her husband to Fort Benning, Ga., military base as he served in the U.S. Army. A second daughter, Shannon, was born in Canyon when they returned. The family moved to White Deer in 1980 where Becky and Yale built their home together. A son, Tim was born in 1990. She attended West Texas State University, graduating in 1986 with a bachelor of science degree in education. Her teaching career began at Horace Mann Elementary of Pampa in 1986. After Mann Elementary closed in 1997, Becky continued to teach at Wilson Elementary through May 2016. She taught in the Pampa Independent School District for 29 years, touching the lives of each student that walked into her room. She encouraged and mentored dozens of new teachers and aides during those years as well. Becky loved music, art, nature and animals. She and Yale spent many happy hours traveling to car shows around the Southwest with their car club friends. Sharing in the lives and activities of her five grandchildren gave her special joy. Giving back to the community was important to her. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in White Deer. She helped with WDHS senior banquet and sports concession stands for many years. She taught arts and crafts for Vacation Bible School every summer. She was a member of the White Deer Extension Homemakers Club. She was preceded in death by her father, Lynn Blewett of Canyon. Survivors include her husband, Yale Poland of White Deer; three children, Beth Mize and husband Chris of Canyon, Shannon Lang and husband Wes of Amarillo, Tim Poland and wife Katie of Amarillo; five grandchildren, Brooke and Emily Mize, Madison and Ethan Lang, and Carter Poland; mother, LaDonna Blewett of Canyon; sister, Tammy Bennett and husband Donnie of Duncan, Okla.; sister-in-law, Nan Butler and husband Alf of Clinton, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to 24 Hours In The Canyon Cancer Survivorship Center, 500 S. Taylor, Unit 223, Amarillo, TX 79101. The family will receive friends from 5:00-6:30 Thursday, July 28, 2016, at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.