Rebecca Jane Durham

Rebecca “Becky” Jane (Goolsby) Durham, 56, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2014 at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Florida. She died from heart failure due to Sarcoidosis and other complicating factors. She was born June 26, 1957 in Tupelo, Mississippi to Van and Jo (May) Goolsby. Becky grew up in Rogers, Arkansas. Becky is predeceased by her mother, Jo (May) Goolsby, and brother, David Goolsby. Becky is survived by her loving husband and best friend of 34 years, Dwight Durham of Valrico, FL, She was also a devoted mother to her surviving four children, daughter, Trina Durham of Valrico, FL, daughter, Jennifer Beach (Tom) of Brandon, FL, son, Capt. Michael Durham (Kari) of Ft. Huachuca, AZ, and daughter, Christie Durham of Brandon, FL. She is also survived by her precious granddaughter, Gabriella Rebekah Beach, and her newest granddaughter on the way. Becky is survived by brother, Leroy Hill (with Daisy) of Cedar Bluff, MS, sister, Rachel Neugin of Prairie Grove, AR, and brother, Johnny Goolsby (with Betty) of St. Paul, AR. Becky was a registered nurse who was also board certified in her field of nursing. She was the AOD on nights for the psychiatric unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida. She had to leave nursing in 2005 due to complications from Cardiac Sarcoidosis disease. Prior to being a psychiatric nurse, Becky worked in Labor and Delivery and on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit eventually becoming a certified Neonatal Advanced Life Support instructor. Becky loved writing and had published in a nursing magazine. Although Becky was confined to a hospital bed at home the last few years of her life, she never gave up hope. She was diagnosed in 1994 with Sarcoidosis. She had granulomas (cluster of lumps) inside her heart, lungs, and most of her body. The main treatment for this was large doses of Prednisone which caused many health complications. There is no cure for Sarcoidosis and no known cause. Becky loved being with her family and her granddaughter brought her so much joy. Becky loved her dog, Berkeley and her many cats. Her yellow tabby Tosh held a very special place in her heart. She loved to read and always said that “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The Bible” were her two favorite books. She also enjoyed reading novels by Dean Koontz, Jane Austen, and Edith Wharton. Becky loved to watch old westerns on TV; John Wayne was her favorite. Becky’s family and faith were the most important things to her. She was a devoted Army wife who followed her career officer husband, Dwight, all over the world. She loved being stationed in Germany and getting to travel all over Europe. Becky was a wonderful cook who made the most delicious Chicken Tetrazini. Her cooking talents were enjoyed by all and she made sure she taught Trina everything she knew. She was very loving and loved by everyone who knew her. She had the most beautiful smile. Becky was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother who will be missed and loved forever by her family. In lieu of flowers, please provide a donation in memory of Rebecca Jane Durham to the Johns Hopkins Sarcoidosis Research Fund. Mail to: Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, MFL Center Tower, Suite 354, Baltimore, MD 21224. In lieu of flowers, please provide a donation in memory of Rebecca Jane Durham to the Johns Hopkins Sarcoidosis Research Fund. Mail to: Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, MFL Center Tower, Suite 354, Baltimore, MD 21224. Gifts can also be made in her name online at: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/pulmonary/charitable[_]giving/