Rebecca Christine Mallory, 55, of Bradyville Tennessee passed away unexpectedly on May 23,
2026. She was born on July 30, 1970, in Panorama City, California. She was preceded in death
by her father Fredrick Rogers.
She has survived by her husband, Robert, Mallory, sons, Michael Kriegler, Anthony (Melissa)
Jones, and Brandon (Yesenia) Mallory, mother, Sharon Nickels, a brother, Christopher (Erin)
Rogers, and her grandchildren.
Growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California, she was awash in a sea of people. Being
so surrounded never bothered her because she could talk to anyone. Striking up a conversation
with a perfect stranger was just her way. They were just the friends she hadn’t met yet. It didn’t
hurt that she had a quick wit and could think on the fly. While she was very friendly, she also
had a tendency to give as good as she got. She would stand her ground and have her say.
With so many people around her it was ironic that a chance meeting while visiting a friend led to
finding her future husband and love of her life Robert. After dating for about a year, they decided
it was time to make their relationship permanent. They snuck off to Las Vegas and got married
at Treasure Island in a spur of the moment wedding. They each came into the relationship with
a son. Blending their families and had another son together. After 10 years of marriage, they
decided to renew their vows at the same location. Coincidentally or not, it happened on the
same day and time as their original wedding. This time there was more planning involved and
they went all out with a horse drawn carriage and all the frills. She and Robert were blessed with
32 years of marriage in March.
As their home life grew and changed, she found a way to express her artistic and decorating
skills by collecting and arranging unique items throughout. Creating a home, she was proud of.
She and Robert found a lot of common ground and shared pastimes. He loved motorcycles and
racing. He competed in the AMRA racing series. They spent many happy weekends going to
races all around the United States. Spending time together, she helped get all the racing
equipment and supplies organized and helped as his unofficial pit crew at times two. She liked
bouncing around in the boonies in a big four-wheel-drive truck. They also shared a love for
boating. Before Lake Mead began getting so dry. They loved cruising around the lake and
camping with their boys. Almost every weekend during the summer was spent either camping or
going to the races. They always had great family adventures.
Rebecca’s love for people blossomed into a career helping people. She earned her bachelor’s
degree in nursing, and then went to work, caring for others. Over her career, she held a variety
of different roles. Her favorite type of nursing was pediatric. Unfortunately, it took a toll on her
emotionally having to watch these young children go through illnesses and sometimes lose
them. She also thrived in elder care and worked for a time in the hospice field. Additionally,
when Covid became an issue, she found a role helping set up COVID units for nursing homes
all around the country. As a nurse, she found her true calling.
Rebecca was raised in a Catholic home. Her love for God never waned, even though some of
the rules put forth by the church, caused her a great deal of trepidation. She kept focused on his
love for her and being a light to her family and those that she encountered. Her much too soon
exit from the world created a deep impact on all her family and friends, but her ever-present love
and light will help guide them in the times to come.
Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 11 until 2
PM. Funeral services will follow in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel at 2 PM. Tim Gentry
will officiate. Gentry-Smith Funeral Home. Share condolences and stories at
www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com. Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd.
Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.
