Obituary of Rebekah Johnson Overstreet

** Funeral re-scheduled - see below. 

Rebekah Johnson Overstreet, age 83, of Bedford, VA passed away on August 18, 2024. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Edmond Austin Overstreet III.  Rebekah was born on August 30, 1940 in Stewart County, TN to Vernon and Mildred Johnson. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Elmer Johnson.  

She is survived by her husband, Edmond “Ed” Austin Overstreet III; a daughter, Lynn Buschman (David); three sons, Edmond Austin Overstreet IV (Grace), Doug Overstreet, John Overstreet (Hannah); her sister, Emily Smith as well as seven grandchildren, Luke Buschman, (Carra), Marie Medina (Daniel), Claudia Hodge, Dalene Hodge, Edmond Austin Overstreet V, Devon Overstreet, Ashley Overstreet and four great grandchildren.

After graduating from Hopkinsville High School, she attended Austin Peay State College where she graduated with a teaching degree in biology. Her first teaching job was in Salem, Virginia where she and Ed met while he was in his senior year at Virginia Tech. She and Ed raised four children while living in Winston Salem, NC, Greensboro, NC and Basking Ridge, NJ before retiring to Bedford in 1992.

Rebekah was always looking to serve, be creative, and be active. For example, she served at Somerset Hills Baptist Church while living in New Jersey for 15 years, being part of a tight knit group that built the church’s first building. Her heart for Christian missions showed through in her dedication to leading Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) in NJ and then at Bedford Baptist and the Strawberry Baptist Association. She also taught English in Moyobamba, Peru for extended periods of time while in her sixties.
Quilting was one way Rebekah showed her creativity. She hand-stitched quilts for her children, created graduation quilts for her grandchildren, created wedding quilts, and gave untold baby blankets. For many summers, she mentored the next generation in a quilting camp.

Rebekah was always up for a challenge, including getting her life guarding certification in her forties. She put this to work when moving to Bedford and getting involved at the YMCA. She skillfully and patiently taught swim lessons and water aerobics for decades, helping many people be safe and healthy. She was an active swimmer, tracking her miles until she reached 2,200.

Rebekah was a remarkable person, rising above her humble beginnings, to forge a better path forward for her family and blessing many people before joining her Lord and Savior.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Bedford Baptist Church, 1516 Oakwood Street, Bedford, VA 24523 or Somerset Hills Baptist Church, 510 Mount Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 PM on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Bedford Baptist Church and a funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Bedford Baptist Church with Rev. Michael Khol officiating.  A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall.  A graveside service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Greenwood Cemetery.  

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.