Rebecca Howard Whittaker

Rebecca Kaye Howard Whittaker was born March 10, 1943 in Owensboro, KY, the daughter of Harrison N. and Juanita Humphrey Howard. She has a younger brother, Glen. During childhood the family lived in Livermore. They moved to Bowling Green when her father operated a trucking business with his brother. Rebecca attended Bowling Green High School where she played in the band, sang in mixed chorus and was in All-State Chorus for two years. She graduated from BGHS in 1961.

While at WKU, Rebecca was active in the Baptist Student Union and it was where she met Bill Whittaker. Rebecca was a summer missionary in Oklahoma in 1964. Bill and Rebecca were married on June 18, 1966. The newly-weds moved to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville where Bill was enrolled. Rebecca taught second grade for two years at Wade Schacklette School. Years later while attending a Senior Adult Celebration a lady introduced herself to Rebecca and shared that her daughter, who attended Wade Schacklette, said “Mrs. Whittaker was the best teacher I ever had.” Rebecca taught one year in Franklin, KY prior to their move in 1969 to Sturgis, KY when Bill became pastor of First Baptist Church. Rebecca taught first grade at Sturgis Elementary for one year. Two children were born while in Sturgis, John in 1972 and Karen in 1973. Foster daughter Karen Anne Carrier lived with the family two years.

During 1976 – 1982 the family lived in Murray, KY where Bill was pastor of First Baptist Church. Daughter Mary was born in May 1976. Rebecca was a member of Murray Women’s Club and Betty Sledd Woman’s Missionary Union. In July, 1982, she completed an MA in Early Childhood and Kindergarten at Murray State University.

In June 1983 the family moved to the Philippines. Bill was pastor of International Baptist Church, Manila. Rebecca directed the church Child Development Center, enrolling 50 children from five nations. The family returned to America in June 1986 and after 22 months at Downtown Baptist Church, Orlando, Florida, they moved to Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, Pineville, KY. Bill served as president for 19 years. Rebecca was director of the campus child development center in 1989 – 1998. A new facility was built and the program received state licensing. She would be at the center when the first child came and when the last child left. Unfortunately health issues brought her resignation when she had Guillian Barre syndrome. In 1989 the KY Department of Education presented her the Outstanding District School Volunteer Award. She served on the Harmony Frakes Elementary School Family Council and chair for two years.

In 2007, Bill and Rebecca moved to Glasgow, KY. Bill was pastor of Glasgow Baptist Church, 2007-2010. In the six churches they served Rebecca was a substitute church secretary, Girls in Action, Acteens, and AWANA leader, church librarian, WMU president, Sunday School teacher for grades 7-8, choir, trio and ensemble member, Mother’s Day Out teacher, member of Women’s Auxiliary of KY Baptist Homes for Children. She was on mission teams to eastern Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Montana, Ohio, Arizona, and Russia.

In December 2013, Rebecca was diagnosed with dementia. On June 18, 2016 their 50th wedding anniversary was celebrated. She was unable to remember most of those who came. In 2018 she continued to live at home with Bill as caregiver. He is helped with home caregivers when he has to be gone. She also goes some to Just Family adult day care. Her commitment as a teacher and work with children is still expressed with a smile when she is greeted by a child.