Rebecca Deulen

Rebecca Gene (Carter) Deulen, lovingly known as Sister Mary Francis, passed away peacefully, entering the Communion of Saints on October 31, 2024, after a life devoted to God, family, church, and community. Born on May Day, 1946, in Abilene, Texas, to Bettye Jo (Horn) and Harmon Gayle Carter. Rebecca is survived by her children, Michael (Stephanie) Martin of Pocomoke, MD, and Melissa (Richard) Milliorn of Tuscola, TX; siblings, Mike (Paula) Carter of Abilene, TX, and Gaye (Rocky) Reynolds of Canton, TX; six grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her mother, Bettye Jo, and grandparents Eugene and Vera Horn, and Ed and Annie Carter.

Rebecca was once FFA Sweetheart and Wylie High School varsity cheer captain. When her children were young, she owned and operated of The Big Scoop Ice Cream Shop in the Brookhollow Shopping Center and was a foster parent for a young man named Donald who resided at the Abilene State Supported Living Center. With a deep love for art and nature, she spent hours gardening, drawing nature scenes, and sharing her native heritage and creativity with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For years, she hatched and released quail and pheasants for the state at her Eula homestead. In her last decade, she dedicated herself to fostering and providing end-of-life care to senior female German Shepherds rescued from kill shelters across Texas. Rebecca's career included years as a bookkeeper, accountant, and real estate broker, and she served as Communication Secretary at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest for over a decade. Her spiritual journey began as a youth choir member in the same church, where she remained active for 59 years. She served as a Eucharistic visitor and was involved in numerous ministries such as Stephen Ministries, Food Pantry Outreach, Episcopal Church Women, and St. Margaret's Guild. Additionally, she coordinated Eucharist services and visitations for residents at the former Sears Nursing Center, now Wisteria Memory Care, and initiated Soldier's Angels at CHR, providing deployed service members with care packages, New Testaments, and rosaries suitable for use in Muslim countries. Rebecca's love and devotion made her a warm, welcoming face to all who entered the church. In October 2006, she began her monastic journey with the Companions of St. Luke, Order of Saint Benedict, and professed life vows as Sister Mary Francis on May 31, 2012. She served on the Companion's Abbott's Council, was a Formation Master, on the Altar Guild, and curated the weekly prayer list. She also volunteered with the Red Cross during regional disasters and at Global Samaritan Resources. After the sudden loss of The Rev. Roz Thomas, she briefly assumed pastoral duties at Trinity Episcopal Church in Albany, TX. More recently, she attended Holy Cross Anglican Church.

Rebecca's kindness and comforting presence will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Memorial Park in the Garden of Peace on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 10:00 A.M., followed by a service at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene, TX, at 11:00 A.M. To honor Rebecca, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Food Pantry Outreach at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal in Abilene, TX, your local animal shelter, or charity of your choice.