Rebecca "Becky" Bradbury

Rebecca "Becky" Bradbury, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on March 31, 2023, at the age of 70, a casualty of the devastating tornado that swept through Robinson, IL. Born on June 18, 1952, in Robinson, Becky was the daughter of Leon & Barbara (Billings) Bilyew. A graduate of Oblong High School, she would eventually go on to earn a degree in Medical Terminology from Olney Central College.

Though Becky began her career at Victor Dana, she would dedicate not a small period of her life to being a homemaker and caregiver to her beloved children. As time went on and the kids got older, she rejoined the workforce as a legal secretary for Gosnell, Borden & Enloe in Lawrenceville for many years before rounding out her career at Cox, Phillips, Weber, Tedford, Heap & Ayres in Robinson.

As an active participant in her community, Becky served as an officer for the Women of the Moose Auxiliary, sharing her life's zest and energies with others as they gathered and socialized. They will remember her contagious energy and relentless curiosity about others' lives. Though she took a genuine interest in others, her buoyant personality was such that it was often difficult to get a word in edgewise! Her family could speak to her talkative nature, as well as to her love of music. Together, they attended many concerts, making memories while singing along to the hits of icons like REO Speedwagon, John Mellencamp, and Elton John. This self-sacrificing mother even took her girls to a Poison concert at the height of the band's popularity!

Her love of music was perhaps second only to her love of reading. There was hardly a day that went by that didn't find her with a book in hand, and she was known to take a novel or two with her on many spur-of-the-moment expeditions with her late husband and cherished companion, Jerry. He liked to drive, and she enjoyed getting out and taking in the experience of travel. Back home, this excellent cook was known for her wide array of delicious dishes, from her famous oyster dressing and cheesy rice broccoli casserole to her adventurous desserts. No matter what she made, she always made WAY too much of it. But that was just Becky; her generous heart simply overflowed with love. This love was on display in all of the time and care she gave to her mother-in-law and countless others in need. One could see it on the front row of her precious grandbabies' games and events. And now, her love has spilled over into the hearts and minds of everyone she touched, and we know that, in this way, her impact will be felt for years to come.

Left behind as her living legacy are her children & their spouses, Heather Angle (Flora, IL), Marty & Dan Bell (Spencer, IN), Jason & Stacey Bradbury (Summerville, SC), Brian & Jamie Bradbury (Robinson, IL), and Stacey & Mark Holt (Oblong, IL); her grandchildren, Keithfer Dolson, Keirstin Holt (Oblong, IL), Dillon & Delainey Bell (Spencer, IN), Jackson & Josiah Bradbury (Summerville, SC) and Kinley & Audrey Bradbury (Robinson, IL); her sisters & brother-in-law, Rena & Mike Gower (Robinson, IL) and Karen Kerner (Newton, IL); her brothers & sisters-in-law, Howard & Marianne Bilyew (Oblong, IL) and Gareld & Myra Bilyew (Oblong, IL); as well as several nieces and nephews.

On August 8, 1992, she married Jerry Bradbury, and he preceded her in death on June 26, 2022. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Leon & Barbara Bilyew, and her sisters, Dana Rich and Sandy Bilyew.

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 7th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow and be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. Burial will be in the Bradbury Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Bradbury Cemetery", with envelopes available at the funeral home.