Morehouse County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....DEFOREST, REBECCA PIERCE December 19, 2022
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COX FUNERAL HOME - DEC. 19, 2022
REBECCA PIERCE DEFOREST


REBECCA "BECKY" PIERCE DeFOREST
COX FUNERAL HOME
BASTROP, LOUISIANA

Rebecca “Becky” Pierce DeForest, 76, of Bastrop, passed peacefully from this 
life on December 19, 2022, in Ruston. She was born on November 27, 1946, to 
Willard Hardy and Lois Sue (Yates) Pierce in her family’s log cabin in Jones, 
LA.



Becky was a 1964 graduate of Bastrop High School. She married the love of her 
life, Neal Allen DeForest, Sr., and enjoyed staying home with their children for 
nine years. She then began her career in banking as a teller, a job which 
highlighted Becky’s talent for conversation, as well as her sharp mind for 
detail. She enjoyed her personal relationships with the customers and their 
families, carrying those relationships through her 30+ years of dedication to 
her job and into retirement. Becky dove into her post-career life by passing 
along all shopping and cooking duties to her retired husband, who took on the 
challenge proudly. However, the desserts and breakfast treats were still her 
specialty areas. When she often spoke of her recipes, there would be a hush in 
nearby conversations to listen in on her secrets.



She was the unique mother who sewed all prom gowns, Easter and Christmas family 
outfits, and her daughter’s wedding gown, gave all the haircuts, made all the 
birthday cakes, and indeed put her family first. She lived the essence of a 
Proverbs 31 woman, with the most prevalent verses being 28-29, “Her children 
stand and bless her. Her husband praises her; ‘There are many virtuous and 
capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!’”



A devoted member of First Baptist Church of Bastrop, Becky dedicated her musical 
gifts to the handbell choir and vocal chorus, her creative gifts to decorating 
the sanctuary for events like Hanging of the Greens at Christmastime, and her 
spiritual gifts to leading Sunday School classes for young adults.



Becky was very competitive and enjoyed a good round of cards routinely with her 
faithful friends, always accompanied by good snacks and good conversation. She 
will be missed dearly by all and will be celebrating Christmas with the love of 
her life forevermore.  



Becky is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Neal Allen DeForest, Sr., 
and her parents.



Becky is survived by her children, Ginger DeForest Gilden (Flynn) of New York, 
NY, and Neal Allen DeForest, Jr. (Dawn) of Ruston. She was “B” to her 
grandchildren: Graham (21), Cayden (19), and Chelsea (11) DeForest, and Aaron 
(16) and Casey (12) Gilden. She is also survived by her sister, Peggy Smith, and 
brother-in-law Lynn “PeeWee” DeForest (Shirlene).



The family would like to extend a special thank you to her friend and caretaker 
Hayley Kennedy.



A celebration of the life will be held in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church 
of Bastrop on Friday, December 23, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor 
Richard Gambill and Pastor Brian Mercer. The family will receive visitors from 
12:30 p.m. until the time of the service. A private committal service and burial 
for family will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Cox 
Funeral Home of Bastrop.



Pallbearers will be Graham DeForest, Cayden DeForest, Aaron Gilden, Matthew 
Turner, Paul Shaw, and Brady Wilcutt.



In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Baptist Church of 
Bastrop, 620 East Madison Ave., Bastrop, LA, 71220; Louisiana Baptist Children's 
Home, 7200 Desiard Street, Monroe, LA 71203, www.lbch.org; or St. Jude 
Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org.

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