Rebecca Ann Groves

Rebecca Ann Cole Smith Groves, surrounded by children, peacefully went to her rest on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 4:19 p.m. Rebecca was born on May 1, 1959 in Dayton, Ohio to the late John Eddie and Lillie Mae Cole. In 1977, Rebecca graduated from Jefferson Senior High School and the Montgomery County Joint Vocational School (JVS) - Nursing program. Rebecca had an early love for nursing and co-oped at the Stillwater Nursing Home in Dayton during her senior year at JVS. She completed her bachelor's in science degree from the University of Tennessee (UT) in Knoxville and became a Registered Nurse (BSRN) as a result of her degree in Nursing from the UT Nursing School in 1989. Upon graduation Rebecca worked as an ICU Nurse for many years. After returning to Dayton, she worked as an Ohio Department of Health nursing home inspector and ended her career as an Infectious Disease Control Consultant in Columbus, Ohio. She volunteered as a union delegate while at the Department representing dozens of bargaining unit employees during their grievance hearings. Rebecca was great parent who raised two beautiful children, Kevin, and Ivana. She was the driving force behind their aspirations and saw the fruits of her labour in witnessing their scholastic abilities and seeing the loving young adults they have become. They were truly her pride and joy and she loved celebrating their achievements as they came. When she had the strength, Rebecca loved to travel and take spontaneous trips to Dayton or around Columbus. She was not afraid of travel and loved to explore. Her latest adventure was to Hawaii in 2017, where she enjoyed the blue skies and crystal waters. She enjoyed volunteering with the Bread of Life Food pantry at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church where she was a devout member. Rebecca enjoyed going to plays and festivals, along with visiting family. She had a sense of humour and big smile that she shared with anyone who crossed her path. She also could give you a look or turn a phase that could make you think, as well as being quick to call out fools and any injustice she came across. Rebecca leaves to cherish her memory, her loving son Kevin Marshal Smith and daughter Ivana Groves; four sisters, Ruth Johnson (Van) (Pike Road, AL), Dorothy Sanders (Dayton, OH), Beverly Dancy (Marvin) (Brooklyn, MD), and Elizabeth Knox (Dayton, OH); four brothers, John Cole, Jr. "Otis" (Rita) (Dayton, OH), James Cole (Dayton, OH), Matthew Cole (Camp Springs, MD), and Andrew Cole (Cicely)(Belleville, IL), six nieces Amber Cole (Dayton, OH), Ashley McFee (Sean)(Massillon, OH), Alison Wood (Patrick) (Massillon, OH), Tori Boyd (Belleville, IL), Brooklyn Woolens (Dayton, OH), and Toni Almond (Gahanna, OH); 9 nephews, James Ward (Dayton, OH), Jaren Cole (Alexandria, VA), Bryar Cole (Austin, TX), Carl Woolens (Dayton, OH), John Andrew Cole (Orlando, FL), Nicholas Cole (Belleville, IL), Kendall Boyd (Belleville, IL), Kelly Cole (Columbus, OH), and Caleb McGee (Phoenix, AZ), and a host of great nieces, great nephews, cousins and other beloved family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, John Cole, Sr., mother, Lillie Cole, and brother David Cole.