Rebecca Coley Ashford

Rebecca Coley Ashford passed from this life on February 24, 2026. Born December 10, 1950 in Atlanta, GA, Rebecca was the daughter of George Burton Coley and Bessie Edmondson Coley. At an early age she proclaimed her faith in Jesus Christ at the Bowdon Baptist Church and became one of the church’s musicians and pianists. In 1980 she earned her MD degree at the Medical College of Georgia where she also met her future husband Clint Ashford, and they married during her senior year of medical school. In 1982 after Clint and Rebecca finished their medical educations they relocated to Athens/Watkinsville, GA and lived a wonderful life together, raising seven children. By far the most important thing in Rebecca’s life was her faith in God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and her personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because of that relationship, she is now in the very presence of Jesus himself.

Rebecca is survived by her husband Clint, and children Judson Shelnutt (Ellen), Sarah Lawson (Jonathan), Emily Sholes (Taylor), Alex (Laura), James (Julia), William (Kalen), Philip (Jordan), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters Laura Edgerton (Chip) and Juliet Coley, and brothers Phil Coley (Kitty) and Dave Coley (Julie). She will be missed extremely by all who knew her.

The family will greet friends during a visitation at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home in Watkinsville, GA from 6-8P on Friday February 27, 2026. There will be service held at Watkinsville First Baptist Church on Saturday February 28, 2026 at 3PM with the Reverend Carlos Sibley officiating.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes, West, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of the arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com