Rebecca Grant

Rebecca Moore Grant Champaign - Rebecca "Becky" Moore Grant, 78, of Champaign passed away at Carle Foundation Hospital on Sunday (Nov. 9, 2025). Becky was born on Sept. 4, 1947, in Mansfield, Ohio. She graduated from Murray High School in Murray, Ky., and went on to earn her bachelor of music education from Murray State University and her master of music education from the University of Illinois. Becky and her husband, Joe W. Grant Jr., both graduated from Murray State University in Kentucky in 1969 and began their teaching careers that same year with Danville District 118. Over her remarkable 30-plus-year career, Becky taught elementary music in several of the district's schools. She was deeply dedicated to her students and took great joy in sharing her love of music. She organized and directed countless school performances and inspired generations of young people to find their voices through music. Becky was a longtime worshiper at First Presbyterian Church of Champaign, where she also sang in the choir for many years. Her faith, music and creativity were deeply intertwined throughout her life. Outside the classroom, Becky was a passionate quilter and textile artist with an incredible eye for color and design. She loved learning new techniques and creating beautiful pieces for friends and family. Her artistic spirit extended to every part of her life - she surrounded herself with beauty in music, gardening, flowers, jewelry and art, and she delighted in sharing that passion with others. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and encouraging their creativity. Her family remembers her as generous, talented and endlessly kind - a woman who gave her time, energy and warmth to everyone she met. Becky was also an enthusiastic Illini fan, cheering on her favorite teams with joy and loyalty. She is survived by her husband, Joe W. Grant Jr.; children, Kelly Grant Zaug, Erin Rebecca Grant and Joe W. Grant III; half brother, Spencer Goard; and beloved grandchildren, Meara Wilcox, Elyse Wilcox, Duncan Zaug, Colin Zaug and Ollie Grant. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family, former students and friends. A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign, followed by a visitation in the Westminster Fellowship Hall below the sanctuary from 2 to 4 p.m. An additional service will be held in Louisville, Ky.; details are pending. Becky's family invites all who knew her to join in honoring her life, sharing memories and celebrating the joy she brought to others through music, art and love.