Knock, knock. Who’s there? Rebecca Ann Massengale, 51, was born Christmas morning 1970 to Richard Massengale and Sandra (Lewis) Massengale-Watson.

Jokes were a lifelong delight for Rebecca. Each joke and ensuing laughter were her connection to people and she took the connection seriously with hundreds of jokes on the ready. From simple knock-knock jokes to lengthy tales with clever punchlines, she was always telling jokes and did not consider her job done until there was laughter. Wholesome clean jokes? Yes... at least 42% of the time...

A genuine free spirit, Rebecca elicited joy from everything around her and followed her own guidelines. Along the way she deemed there were not enough Z’s in the world and nicknamed herself Baby Z. Even her house cleaning was enjoyable as cleaning the living room simply meant dusting the door on the way out of it to pick wildflowers. Cleaning the playroom meant gathering every child to clean while she set up a fun tea party.

Rebecca knew darkness but it wasn’t in her rulebook for it to put a damper on her positive outlook and she’d always share the light. Regardless of your circumstances, she was encouraging and believed you were loved, you were a gift, and you were going to be okay. Then she would tell you a joke. Perhaps being first born on a gift giving holiday made it easier to convince family she was short-changed in childhood celebrations and her adult birthdays should be a big deal. Then again maybe it didn’t take convincing as she made a big deal out of holidays, her faves were Halloween and Easter. At any rate on Christmas Day, ’Twas not a rare occurrence for Baby Z’s stack of gifts to tower above that of the grandkids. She happily let them help unwrap her gifts. Then she would tell them a joke. Rebecca loved family and friends. She enjoyed meeting people. Wildflowers were her compass. She cherished laughter. Paint and canvas were her medium. Performing good deeds was second nature.

Second to none was mom’s cooking. She was proud to help mom in the garden and visited her almost daily. Rebecca was called to our Lord’s tea party in heaven on June 7.

There to welcome her home were her father; brother, Richard Allen Massengale; grandparents, RW & Maudie Massengale, Oscar Pete & Lorene Lewis; nephew Kyler Richard Amburn; and brother-in-law Spencer B. Street III.

Family left to lift a tea cup in her memory include her daughter, Victoria (Dow) Kimber; mother, Sandra Watson; siblings, Sherry & husband Don Estes, Laurie & husband Heath Kelley, Joni Street, Julie & husband John Hayhurst, Tracy & husband Nick Menchaca; brother, Brian Watson & wife Kathy; grandmother, Kay Lewis; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 15 at Oasis of Grace in Graham.