Rebecca Behringer

Rebecca Behringer, lovingly known as Mama Becky, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, in Waco, Texas. Born on November 15, 1937, in Capas, Tarlac, Philippines, she carried a life shaped by both hardship and deep compassion, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

Her early years were marked by the difficulties of World War II, during which she lost several siblings, including Lolita, born in 1931; Elizar; Virginia; Jacob and Obed, who died from malnutrition at birth; and Ruth. These experiences, along with the deprivations of wartime, instilled in her a quiet strength and empathy that remained with her throughout her life.

Rebecca was a gifted cook, celebrated for her authentic Filipino dishes that brought comfort and joy to her family and friends. She spoke her native language with warmth and pride, creating a home filled with love for her husband, sons, beloved Siamese cats, chickens, and her garden. A natural fixer with practical skills, she stayed busy sewing, tending her plants, and caring for her household. Independent and good-humored, she greeted everyone with friendliness and trust, never speaking an unkind word. Her faith, first as a Catholic and later in the Church of Christ, guided her, and she volunteered with the school band, earning the affectionate title of Mama from many children.

She met and married Kenneth W. Behringer in the Philippines before moving to the United States. Their marriage was a loving partnership until his passing. Rebecca cherished her homeland and returned whenever possible, forming connections with people wherever she went. She found joy in music, especially the songs of Charley Pride and Glen Campbell. Above all, she took greatest pride in her sons and their wives, nurturing her family with unwavering devotion and remaining active and independent well into her final weeks.

She is lovingly remembered by her son Robert Behringer and his wife Patricia, her brother Frank Yalung and his wife Puring, her sister Teresita Zabel, and her daughter-in-law Laurie Behringer Bailey.