[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 72 (Friday, April 26, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF REBECCA NEIL FOSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. ROSE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 26, 2024

  Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the incredible life of Rebecca 
Neil Foster. Rebecca was many things to many people: a beloved 
daughter, sister, wife, mother, and most recently, grandmother. Above 
all else, Rebecca was an amazing human being and devoted Christian, who 
did everything to serve others and leave this world better than she 
found it.
  Rebecca was born on September 30, 1968 to Wesley and Faye Neil. A 
native of Fentress County, Tennessee, she graduated from Clarkrange 
High School where she competed on the 1983, 1984, and 1985 girls' 
basketball state championship teams. Memories of those wins sparked joy 
throughout her life.
  Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later a Master of 
Science in Nursing Informatics from Tennessee Technological University.
  She had a distinguished 29-year career in healthcare, most recently 
in the role of Chief Nursing Officer for Cumberland Medical Center. In 
2019, she graciously agreed to take on a new occupation focused on 
constituent care rather than patient care as my District Director for 
Tennessee's 6th Congressional District.
  Her dedication to service lives on through her family. Rebecca took 
enormous pride in her husband, Allen, who serves as Mayor of Cumberland 
County; her daughter, Brooke, who followed in her footsteps in nursing; 
and her son, Shade, who is a sworn police officer for the City of 
Crossville. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Edna Foster, a 
daughter-in-law, Haley Foster, and a son-in-law, Trevor Wright.
  Rebecca had a lifelong passion for singing. She served as Music 
Director at Oak Hill Baptist Church for nearly 15 years. In fact, just 
last Sunday Rebecca was on stage with her daughter singing her heart 
out and worshiping the Lord with the help of the pulpit to keep her 
balance.
  There are simply very few among us as special as Rebecca Neil Foster.
  She was first diagnosed with cancer in 2023. During the difficult 
period that followed, many around her were fearful, but she chose to be 
faithful. Despite the intense treatments she underwent and the 
sometimes-painful side effects she endured, she continued to work as 
she was able, and did so with a smile on her face. In fact, if you've 
talked to Rebecca since last July, you were much more likely to find 
her smiling and showing pictures of her precious granddaughter, Asa, 
than talking about her health battle.
  The day before her passing, Rebecca shared a page from her prayer 
devotional on social media. It was titled ``Unafraid,'' and based on 
the book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verses 5 and 6, which reads, in part, 
``I will never leave you; I will always be by your side.'' Rebecca 
never questioned the presence of the Lord. She lived a full life as a 
result. She knew God's plan for her was not to live in fear--but to 
live in faith and to love others while she was here.
  Rebecca knew each day and the good things in it are blessings from 
God. She kept cheerful faith throughout a painful health struggle. This 
week she went home to Heaven and received her eternal reward. Glory be 
to God for Rebecca Foster who came into our lives, and with her talents 
and vivacious spirit, left us forever changed for the better.

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