Doolittle, Rebecca 'Becky' Gwendolyn Evans

Rebecca “Becky” Gwendolyn Evans Doolittle, 90, of the Woodlands / The MethWick Community, died Thursday, March 8, 2012. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 12, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Lloyd Brockmeyer officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include her spouse, Robert Allen Doolittle of Cedar Rapids; children, Allen Doolittle (Jo Anne Ollerenshaw), Jim Doolittle (Donna), Mel Doolittle (Jayne) and Betty Hagglund (Bryan); sister, Miriam Johnson (Frank); 10 grandchildren, Steve (Haven), Tom, (June), Lauren, Will, Sarah (Adam), Gwen, Emily, Carolyn (Laurent), Andrew and Mark; and five great-grandchildren, Samuel, Savannah, Noah, Chavah and Ari.

Becky was preceded in death by her parents, John and Sarah (Price) Evans; and two sisters, Marge and Jane.

Rebecca Gwendolyn Evans was born July 6, 1921, in Williamsburg, Iowa, the daughter of John and Sarah (Price) Evans. She married Robert A. Doolittle on Dec. 16, 1945, in Newton, Iowa.

Becky's family life was built on the foundation of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. She was a longtime member of the choir and, with her husband, Bob, was among the founding members of the Family Fellowship class. As one of the early projects of the Family Fellowship, Becky and Bob, and other members, were instrumental in building the St. Paul's Cottage at Clear Lake. Members of the Family Fellowship became Becky and Bob's lifelong friends.

Becky started her musical career, along with her three sisters, when she learned to play the trumpet, French horn, fluegelhorn, and piano at the Salvation Army in Newton. She then attended Coe College, where she graduated with a degree in music education. Becky started her music-teaching career in Wilton Junction, then moved to the Cedar Rapids Community School District, where she taught for 25 years at Hiawatha Elementary School.

When not teaching in the public schools, Becky taught private piano lessons where often her small daughter Betty sat listening under the grand piano.

Memorials may be given to St. Paul's United Methodist Church Music Ministry in the name of Rebecca Doolittle.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Psalm 150: 4-6 - “Praise the LORD! … with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!'' Becky, your entire life has given praise to God through your music and love. We know all the angels in heaven will gather around to listen to your music and your laughter, and to bask in the radiance of your smile.

We will all miss you and your wonderful sense of humor.

Published March 10, 2012 in The Gazette