Becky McVay, age 55, passed away on April 30, 2019, at her home on the farm surrounded by her loving family, She was diagnosed with Glioblastoma grade 4 brain cancer in August of 2017 and beat the survival odds.
Rebecca Sue Graves was born on October 16, 1963, to J.C. "Bud" and Cena (George) Graves at the Ogallala Community Hospital. She was the third daughter born and joined the sisterhood with Teresa, Jennifer and later Sara.
She attended Ogallala Public Schools starting in Kindergarten and graduating with the class of 1982. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Becky was a lifelong member of the Ogallala community and volunteered many hours to local activities and the Elks Club.
Becky's first job was washing dishes at the age of 12 at The Indian Cafe, and throughout her high school years, she also worked at Hokes Cafe, L & W, KFC, and Ramada Inn which prepared her strong work ethic. After graduation, she worked at Goodall Electric in the accounting department, also for Adams Bank, and Len Johnson & Co before going to work at Holzfaster's Equipment. For 24 years she enjoyed her customers and loved her co-workers.
Becky loved watching Ashton play ball and followed Tanner at youth and High School Rodeos. She loved spending time with family and friends, particularly her grandkids. Becky really enjoyed her trips to Mexico and Palm Springs, camping at the lake, tanking with the girls, the horse races and quietly reading or doing puzzles. She also loved good pitch games and played right to the end.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jacob Michael McVay; nephew, Luke Daniel Blackman; grandniece, Maya Blackman; grandparents, Ralph and Edith (Miner) Dungan; Eloise Graves; and two special aunts, Lois Franklin, and Hazel Johnston, along with other family and friends.
She is survived by Todd Elmshauser of Ogallala; daughter, Ashton (Dell) Simmerman; son, Tanner McVay; Eric (Callie) Elmshauser all of Ogallala; Devin (LeeAnne) Elmshauser of Anchorage, AK; grandchildren, Dalton (Mahum), Alex and Shane Simmerman, Jacob James McVay, Morgan Lile, John and Wyatt Elmshauser, Evelyn, Devin and Emily Elmshauser and special foster granddaughter Raegyn; parents, J. C. "Bud" Graves and Cena Graves of Ogallala; sisters, Teresa (Penfield) Jarvis of Ogallala and West Hartford CT, Jennifer (Carson) Blackman of Roscoe, and Sara (Bernie) Schimonitz of Elsie; three nieces; five nephews; twenty-one great nieces and nephews; a host of in-laws, and more family and friends.
Services will be Monday, May 6, 2019, at 10:00 am at the First United Methodist Church in Ogallala with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 5, 2019, from 2 to 5 pm at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.
A memorial has been established in her memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com. A live stream of the service can be viewed at methodistchurchogallala.com.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.