A celebration of the life and homegoing of retired educator, Rebecca Brown Singleton, will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Winnsboro Second Baptist Church in Winnsboro, LA. Mrs. Singleton passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the age of 95. A public viewing will be held at Richardson & Sims Funeral Home in Winnsboro, LA from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Friday, September 13, 2024, and also from noon until 1:00 PM at the church on Saturday before the start of the service.
She was a cherished pillar of the community in Franklin Parish with a legacy of a well-lived life.
Her education was in the Franklin Parish School System, the system that she would work for in the future. Upon graduating from high school, she attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. Home Economics was her major. Rebecca also obtained certification in elementary education at
Southern University. She pledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
After graduation from Southern University, she returned to Franklin Parish and began a teaching career that lasted 30-plus years. She taught second and third grade students throughout her teaching career. She did graduate work at NLU (now ULM) and received her Master’s +30 in Education. She also served as president of the Franklin Parish Retired Teachers Association, Franklin Parish Hospital Board member and chairperson, and Franklin Parish Kindergarten Coordinator.
Her Christian journey began at the Cuba Baptist Church in Winnsboro where she was baptized. In adulthood, she joined Winnsboro Second Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and served as Sunday School teacher and superintendent. Rebecca served on the Mother’s Board, was secretary of the Trustee Board, and was a member of other church organizations. She loved her church and was willing to serve where needed.
Rebecca loved to travel. She traveled throughout the United States and Canada. The highlight of her travels was a trip to Paris, France in 2001.
On March 25, 1951, she married Joe Gliss Singleton. They became proud parents of Gwendolyn Marie, Joe Gliss, Jr., Edgar Brown, and Renita Dee.
Preceding her in death are her parents Eli and Marriah Brown; husband Joe; siblings Eli Brown, Jr., Sara Jane “Bummy” Brown Norwood, and John Wade Brown; and bonus grandson Janero J. McGhee.
Survivors with a lifetime of memories are her children – Gwendolyn Rodgers of Bossier City, Joe Singleton, Jr. (Daphene) of Fort Worth, TX, Edgar Singleton of West Monroe, and Renita Benjamin (Andre) of Monroe; Siblings – Frances Brown Berry, Marria Brown Fields, Fannie Brown Thomas (Warren), Howard Roy Brown (Janie), Calvin Brown (Essie), and Louis Brown, Sr.; Grandchildren – Stephen Rodgers, Andre Benjamin, Jr. (Amanda), Jared Benjamin (Krisshune), and Jovan Benjamin (Leah); Great-grandchildren – Mackenzie Benjamin, Morgan Benjamin, Madison Benjamin, and Andre Benjamin, III; Bonus great-grands – Adriana McGhee, Makayla Williams, and Kayley Williams; Sisters-in-law – Dorothy Wright Brown, Velma Neal Brown, Alva Nell Singleton and Bertha Singleton Teats; Brother-in-law – Henry Singleton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and her church family.
