Rebecca Blakeney

Rebecca Jean (Herrera) Blakeney, a loving, outgoing, optimistic, achiever was born on December 30, 1984, in Dallas, TX to Joseph Herrera Jr. and Janet Yvonne (Henderson) Herrera.  At age 12, on Christmas Day, December 25, 1996, she accepted Jesus’ free gift of eternal life through Him, as she wrote in her own handwriting in her Bible, “B.J. saved December 25, 1996.”   She lived an amazing life of giving love, friendship, and help to others for 37 years. On January 30, 2022, she passed away in Monterey, California. She then opened her eyes in Heaven in the embracing arms of grandparents, family, friends and, most of all, the God who created her and ordained all the days of her life. Her Savior wiped away all her tears, crying and pain and welcomed her to join the celebration already begun in Heaven for her!

Rebecca grew up a Texan in Arlington. In 2003, she graduated with honors from James Bowie High School Arlington TX. In 2007, she graduated from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks on an Air Force ROTC scholarship and received a bachelor’s degree in Atmospheric Science. In 2007, she received her commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and served her country in the U.S. Air Force for 5 years. She served in Afghanistan and was honored with the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 service stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with 1 oak leaf cluster. She was honorably discharged in 2012, achieving the rank of Captain. Rebecca loved life, her friends, family, teaching fitness, exercise, sports, and in 2013 found her passion in real estate, serving others in Amarillo until her death. She made friends everywhere she went and formed play groups after the birth of her twin daughters, Christine and Lauren in 2014. Her twins were the most important people in the world to her, and she was always looking for opportunities to build memories with them.

Rebecca was preceded in death by her grandparents, Norwood and Molena Henderson; Joseph and Consuelo Herrera; and her cousin, Norman Hogue.

She is survived by her former spouse, Thomas Esten Blakeney III of Amarillo, TX; their children, Christine Abigail and Lauren Elizabeth; her parents; her sisters, Amy Michelle Brannon of Pantego, TX and Christina Lynn Herrera of Dallas, TX; and her nieces and nephew and other relatives.

A visitation will be held at Emerald Hills Funeral Home 500 Kennedale Sublett Rd, Kennedale, TX 76060 on February 21, 2022 from 3-5pm.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Crossroads Christian Church “Chapel”, 6450 South State Highway 360, Grand Prairie, TX on February 22, 2022 at 10AM.

Lunch and Sharing Memories of Rebecca 11am -1pm, and then at 2pm Interment with Honors at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to NAMI North Texas 2812 Swiss Ave, Dallas, TX 75204, 214-341-7133 or online https://naminorthtexas.networkforgood.com/projects/91738-main-giving-page .

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to God and His faithful community of believers who have supported and encouraged them in this difficult time. Though we grieve her loss now, we rejoice that Rebecca is home in Heaven rejoicing with family, friends and the God who made her and gave her new life. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).