Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852
WILLISTON - Dr. Rebecca “Becky” Simmons Weatherby, PhD, 75, of Williston, S.C. passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2026. A graveside funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the Williston Cemetery with the Reverend Joseph Sanders officiating. The family will receive friends Friday evening, August 21, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Folk Funeral Home, Williston, S.C.
Memorial contributions may be given to one of the following groups which Becky supported: Williston Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 367, Williston, S.C. 29856 or the Shelter Foundation-TNVR Program, 210 Rusty Road, Williston, S.C. 29853.
Born in Columbia, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Leo Benjamin Simmons and Iris Brunjes Simmons and was married to her soulmate and beloved husband, the late Robert Jay “Bob” Weatherby, for 52 years. She was a member of the Williston United Methodist Church and was a 1969 graduate of Williston-Elko High School. Becky began her working career at the family-owned Piggly Wiggly, standing on a Coca-Cola crate running the cash register. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Winthrop University and received her PhD from the University of South Carolina. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister-in-law and “Aunt B.”. She was a life-long educator having taught students from kindergarten through college level. She served as Director of Curriculum in school districts in both South Carolina and North Carolina. If you were fortunate enough to have her as a teacher, you will remember her for a lifetime; she positively impacted and influenced a great number of students in her many years as an educator.
Becky was a gentle soul with a sweet, sweet spirit and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include her sons, Dr. Brian (Kim) Weatherby, MD of Greenville, S.C. and Mr. Christopher Weatherby of Williston, S.C.; grandsons, Holden and Reid Weatherby of Greenville, S.C.; sisters-in-law, Susan Griffin and Sara Duggin; and a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins.
In addition to her husband, Bob, she was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Virginia Simmons (Harry) Behrens; and her brother, Dr. Leo Benjamin Simmons Jr., MD.
Becky was grateful for the loving care of her family, friends, her Day Break caregivers as well as her doctors, nurses and all the oncology medical personnel who gave her so much attention and care.
Folk Funeral Home, Inc. and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Visit the online registry at www.folkfuneralhome.com.
