Ella Rebecca "Becky" Lightner

Ella Rebecca “Becky” (Harold) Lightner, 93, of Monterey passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Birch Ridge Assisted Living in Staunton.

She was born August 5, 1931 in Valley Center, a daughter of the late Robert Lee and Beulah Leas (Hull) Harold.

On November 22, 1950 she married Ernest Hartley Lightner, who preceded her in death October 17, 1994.

Becky had retired from the Highland Medical Center in 2016 at the age of 85, where she had worked as an administrative assistant from the day the doors opened twenty years earlier. Also, at 85 years young, she decided to step away from her chores of lambing and feeding her sheep flock, for which she had lovingly cared for over several decades.

A God-fearing Christian, Becky was a member of Green Hill United Methodist Church, the church’s WRE representative, and was known to faithfully read her Bible daily. Additionally, she loved time spent gardening and canning, tending to her farm animals, driving her farm truck, and cooking - particularly her special meals during the holidays. Without question Becky was a very loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who will be remembered as a selfless person, always placing others' needs first – especially the needs of her family.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a granddaughter, Stephanie Louise Lightner; grandson, Coen Lightner; siblings, Elsie Lee Harold, Robert Lee Harold Jr., Elena “Sue” Harris, Irene K. Wysong, Shirley Gutshall, Paul Kerns Harold, William R. Harold, and Thelma Johns; and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Lightner.

She is survived by her four sons, Ernest “Ernie” H. Lightner Jr. of Monterey, David Lightner and wife, Dorothy of Monterey, Herbert “Herb” Lightner and wife, Teresa of Monterey and Raymond Lightner and wife, Jill of Head Waters; grandchildren, Christina Lightner-Collins and husband, Creed, Melissa Harper and husband, Chris, Trey Lightner and wife, Taylor, Matlin Lightner and wife, Lindsey, Robert Lightner and wife, Davina, Jacob Lightner and wife, Taylor, Ryan Lightner and wife, Kirsten, Corey Lightner and wife, Mariam, Tyler Lightner and wife, Candace, Amanda Lightner, Chad Lightner and wife, Kari, Chloe Lightner, and Cayley Lightner; great-grandchildren, Hunter Harper, Caston and Colton Lightner, Jackson and Everly Lightner, Landon, Easton and Allison Lightner, Will Lightner, Magnolia Lightner, Jase Moore, Kylee and Kash Lightner, Josh and Brandon Collins; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 1 p.m., Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell with Rev. James M. Tongue officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery, Mill Gap.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, as well as at a meal of fellowship at the Blue Grass Ruritan Building following the burial.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Mrs. Becky’s local caregivers, Margaret Beverage, Cindy Boyd, Virginia Smith, and Deena Vess; her daily companion and niece, Rita Pullin; the staff of Birch Ridge Assisted Living, as well as Gentiva Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be mailed to Green Hill Cemetery, c/o Richard Simmons, 8171 Mill Gap Road, Monterey, Va. 24465.