Rebecca Ann Whalen

Rebecca (Becky) Wood Whalen, 67, of Albuquerque, died Friday, January 7, 2022. She was the daughter of George and Sophia Wood, who predeceased her. She was born in Oklahoma City and spent her first fifteen years as a USAF brat, living in a variety of places as she followed her parents to their various assignments, including three years each in Japan and Germany. She graduated from East Ascension HS in Gonzales, LA, and attended Louisiana College before graduating from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA.

She taught High School English for several years in Vidalia and Alexandria, LA, and worked as Instructor/Mentor Recruiter for LANG Youth Challenge Program at Camp Beauregard, LA. Following her marriage to Gil Whalen, she relocated to Albuquerque, NM, and most recently worked as Receptionist and Ministerial Assistant at Sandia Baptist Church in Albuquerque.

Becky loved to sing and was a member of numerous vocal ensembles during her lifetime including Common Good, Sweet Spirit, Louisiana Singing Women, Sweet Adelines, as well as various church choirs, choruses, and theatrical productions.

She is survived by her son Jonne Spann, stepdaughter, Tanessa Spann, her husband Gil Whalen, her siblings Bill Wood (Barbara Miller), Jo Wood Carroll, Paul Wood (Holly), and Pam Rachal (Michael). She also leaves numerous dear friends and extended family behind.

Local Services will be held Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., followed by visitation at Sandia Baptist Church, 9429 Constitution Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM.

Graveside Service and Inurnment will be held Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., Kilpatrick Memorial Garden, 1270 LA Highway 544, Ruston, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home.

Louisiana Memorial Celebration will be held Sunday, February 6, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church Chapel, 5011 Jackson Street, Alexandria, LA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Youth Challenge Program. https://langfoundation.org/support. In the message box notate in memory of Rebecca Wood Whalen, Youth Challenge Program or mail to 6400 St. Claude, New Orleans, LA 70117 and include the notation Youth Challenge Program.