Becky Carroll memorial fundraiser established

Nearly 55 years after she "graced earth with her presence" (as she would say), Becky Lucille Carroll left it behind: better and brighter than she found it. Just her style.

Born in Lewis County, August 9, 1965, Becky grew up in Michigan. She graduated from L'anse Creuse North in Chesterfield, Michigan in 1983. She went through Culinary School while in high school and worked at The Burning Tree Country Club and Golf Course for several years. During that time she entered many cooking competitions, winning many distinguished awards. Becky was often honored in the local newspapers for her abilities. She also enjoyed playing Powder Puff football while in high school. Eventually, she made her way back home .

She loved the Lewis County community, and it showed. If there was a cause to volunteer for, chances are you'd find her there, behind the scenes, working hard for nothing in return except a full heart.

Becky had a servant's heart and was a true giver. To the community she cared so deeply for, she left pieces of herself. Blood, sweat, tears and happy memories are the imprints left by her on anything she touched. If Becky was involved, you could bet the family farm that she left it a better version of itself. It was her investment into something greater than herself. By all accounts, The Jaycees - of which she was the first female member, 4-H Program, Christmas in Hohenwald, the Senior Center, the South Central Area Fairboard and so many other organizations have benefited from her dedication and sacrifice and will long continue doing so.

Becky's legacy is one that will live on in Lewis County through the numerous lives she touched over the years. If you knew her, you understood you were blessed. She had no friends, only an incredibly large family. If you weren't claimed by her, it's only because she didn't know you yet. She became "Mama Beck", "Aunt Beck" or "Sis" to everyone she knew, because she just made you feel loved and welcomed, as if you were part of her family.

Becky was everybody's favorite. She was also everybody's "no" friend. If honest advice is what you were looking for, her's was the door you knocked on. Even if it hurt, she'd tell you the truth. "I still love you, though," she would say. And, you knew it. That's why you sought her advice time and time again.

She was a cusser and a prayer. She'd cuss you out for doing something stupid, then pray, in that same breath, for the strength to resist knocking you out. She was down to earth and a class act. Becky was humble, but she made sure you knew your worth and how to stand up for yourself. She was sarcastic and painfully honest. She would call you out on your mess, yet never leave your side as she helped walk you through it. At any given moment, she was a pistol ready to fire and a big ol' teddy bear who gave the best hugs. More than anything, though, Becky Lucille Carroll was genuine.

In these new days without her, she would want you to cry. In fact, she would probably come back to knock the tears out of you if you didn't. Yes, she would want you to cry and scream out and wonder how you're going to go on without her, but not for too long.

"Suck it up, Buttercup," she would say. "Ain't nobody got time for that. There's work to do. Plus your face turns ugly when you cry. You know I love you, though."

A complete obituary can be found on page 2 of this edition.