Rebecca Leigh Emmett (Graney)

Rebecca Leigh Emmett (Graney), 54, died peacefully in her bed on July 27th, 2024, in Beaufort, SC. Rebecca was born on March 1st, 1970 in Oneonta, New York to her loving parents John “Jack” Emmett and Linda “Sue” Clark. Growing up in Upstate New York, she was the beloved baby sister of five children. Rebecca was the star of her own show- routinely performing songs and skillful choreography from the “Solid Gold Dancers”, for her friends and family. 

Rebecca had a deep appreciation and passion for the arts, in all forms. The need to express and discover herself through artistic expression ran deeply throughout her life. Her library collection was a deep dive into Classic Literature, Poetry, Photography and Autobiographies of those she adored (Marilyn Monroe). Her writings spanned from essays, letters to Senators, children's books (Stanley the Squirrel), songs (Rebel Yell) and various poems. 

Rebecca also had a skillful eye for decorating her home with precious thrifted pieces and art ranging from Picasso to Matisse to her children’s portraits and photographs she had taken of those she loved most. Thrifting for magic with close friends was her favorite activity. While teaching the choreography to a Prince music video was a cherished late-night memory. To her, art was not an expression but life itself.

After receiving an associate’s degree and moving to Santa Cruz, CA, Rebecca found a professional home and family in Data Distributing. Under the mentorship of Nancy Fisher and Marjorie Hauser, Rebecca became trained in Data Technology Sales and quickly became one of the company’s leading sales professionals for the next decade. Her success was only surpassed by the pure thrill of proving those wrong who had mistaken her to be just another blonde at a tradeshow. In the Data Technology sales field Rebecca flourished and eventually built her own company, Data Works. Data Works was a largely successful Data Storage provider that was solely run by Rebecca out of her home office, supplying data storage to large Army bases and Hospitals, nationally.

Above all else, Rebecca’s greatest joy on earth was being a mother to her three children. Daughter, Korinna “Kori” Leigh Kendall (36) and sons, Jesse 'James' Quinton Emmett (31) and Russell “Trey” McNeil Fraser III (18). Her children were her self-proclaimed greatest accomplishment in life. 

An excerpt ‘On children’ from Rebecca’s favorite book, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran:

You may give them your love but not your thoughts 

For they have their own thoughts

You may house their bodies but not their souls

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow

Rebecca was predeceased by her adoring father, Jack Emmett; sister, Bridget Graves; sister-in-law, Laura Emmett; brother-in-law, Louie Fish; and special uncle, Andy Molatch. Rebecca would be remiss if her favorite cat, Thomas, was excluded from her predeceased family.

She is survived by her daughter, Kori Kendall (Kelby); sons, Jesse Emmett and Trey Fraser; granddaughter, Kinslee Kendall; mother and best friend, Sue Clark; beloved step-mother, Jean Emmett; siblings, Lynn Fish, Ronnie Emmett, Gary Emmett (Virginia), Shelly Emmett and Ashley Kiel (Niah Sanchez); special nieces, Brittany (Alston Phillips) and Macey Quackenbush; grandnieces, Jade “Bubba Rose” Kiel, Isabele Sanchez; grandnephew, Kade Phillips; nieces, Brooke Kiel and Nicole Emmett; nephews, Jason and Dustin Kiel; lifelong close friends, Roxanne Tonetti, Tamilin O’Brien, Shannon Jarvie and Beth Poore; along with many other close relatives and friends that cannot be named.

A memorial and a spreading of Rebecca's ashes will be held in her favorite places, Tybee Island, GA and Santa Cruz, CA, at a later date. Details will be provided to close friends and family interested in attending. In lieu of flowers, her children request that you continue Rebecca's legacy by simply spreading her spirit through random acts of kindness unto strangers and neighbors within your community.

In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "You cannot do a kindness too soon... for you never know how soon it will be too late.".