Obituary: Rebecca Van Dyke McCall

April 14, 1927 – December 7, 2016

Rebecca Van Dyke McCall, 89, of Kerrville, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Born April 14, 1927 in Osaka, Japan to missionary parents Rev. Paul S. and Louise Van Dyke, Rebecca was the third of 5 children.  The family moved to Kerrville in 1930 when Rev. Van Dyke was called to pastor the First Presbyterian Church.  Rebecca attended Kerrville Schools and graduated in 1944 from Tivy High School.  She attended Sul Ross University in Alpine, where she met her husband, Earl N. McCall.

Rebecca and Earl spent the majority of their marriage in Alaska, where Earl was employed by the FAA, retiring in 1978.  Rebecca hosted their friends and colleagues on many occasions and was an active church member and volunteer.  She was an avid beachcomber, photographer, gatherer and cook.  Rebecca regularly sent Christmas packages stuffed with homemade native berry preserves, canned salmon, sugared pecans, pickled kelp and other surprises to relatives. She and Earl staked a claim on newly opened federal land where, with help from friends, they built a log cabin home.

Retirement brought Rebecca and Earl back to Alpine where they took care of Earl’s mother and enjoyed life.  Rebecca remained an active member of her church.  After Earl’s death, Rebecca moved to Kerrville, rejoining First Presbyterian.  She enjoyed volunteering, visiting Kerrville friends, time with sisters Maud and Louise, and travelling.  Her end of life recollections included childhood games on the Kerr County Courthouse lawns, and swimming in the Guadalupe River.

Mrs. McCall was predeceased by her parents, her sister Maud V. Jennings, and niece Edith J. Johnson.  She is survived by brothers Paul S. Van Dyke (Marguerite), Bryan, TX., Estes Van Dyke, Raton, NM., and sister Louise V. Rauch, San Antonio, TX., Nieces Mary Ann Colson (Howard), Montgomery, TX., Earlene M. King (M.T.), Atlanta, GA., Bonnie M. Alverson (Ray), Sugarland, TX., Jean Colliander, El Paso, TX., Nell Gruben (Walter), San Antonio, TX.,  Lucy V. Jennings, Kerrville, TX., Ruth Van Dyke (Randy McGuire), Binghamton, NY., Debbie Van Dyke, Santa Rosa, CA., Amy Van Dyke (Steve), Lakewood, CO.,  Nephews Lee McCall (Stephanie), Lubbock, TX., Dee McCall (Janet), Gilbert, AZ., Lee Jennings (Gwen), Kerrville, Paul Jennings (Katherine), Ft. Walton Beach, FL., Randle Jennings (Dorinda), Johnson, City, TX., David Van Dyke (Paula), Bryan, TX., Brian Van Dyke, Westminster, CO., and numerous great nieces and nephews.

The family extends special thanks to the staffs of Villagio of Kerrville and Peterson Hospice for their wonderful and kind care.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville, Texas; Alzheimer’s Research, or the charity of one’s choice.

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A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, December 20, 11 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville, TX.  A graveside service is scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2017 in Alpine, TX.

The family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the “Send Condolences” link.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.

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