Rebecca Davis Iglehart Collins' Obituary
Rebecca Davis Iglehart Collins passed away at home in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, May 9, 2026. She did not fear death, she knew where she was going, and all who loved her are at peace knowing she is no longer in pain.
Rebecca, known to many as Becky, was born in Dallas on December 29, 1942, to Donald Royse Iglehart and Dorothy Davis. While Dallas was her primary home, she also lived in Mexico City, Virginia, and Los Angeles.
She graduated from Southern Methodist University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. During her time there, she was selected as a Rotunda Beauty, Canada Queen, and was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Rebecca was the co-founder of the Tuesday Garden Club, established in 1970 and is still thriving today. One of her most beloved roles was as a junior high and high school Spanish teacher. Fluent and expressive, she spoke the language as beautifully as if it were her first.
In 1975, she took a silversmithing class on a whim, intending simply to make jewelry for herself. Just a few months later, someone purchased every piece she had created...and from that moment on, word of mouth transformed her passion into a full-time career. Rebecca had an extraordinary eye for color and design, creating wearable works of art that were unmistakably her own.
Her jewelry caught the attention of renowned designer Oscar de la Renta and was featured in his runway show. During her 4 decade career, her pieces were sold in retailers including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Stanley Korshak as well as her own store in Preston Center. At one point, her jewelry was carried in every Neiman Marcus store across the country.
For nearly a decade, Rebecca and her daughter traveled to stores across the country, hosting trunk shows most weekends of the year. She cherished the connections made through her work and loved hearing how her jewelry sparked conversations….and even lifelong friendships. Fifty years later, her creations continue to be worn proudly by thousands. Until the very end, Rebecca found joy in seeing photos of others wearing her pieces.
Rebecca is survived by her daughter, Amy Bradley Dodson and her husband Dahlem; three grandchildren, Melissa, Meredith, and Davis; her brother, Don Iglehart and his wife Gay and their son Andrew; her cherished first cousin, Susan McMordie and her husband Frank, and their children, Wendy, Jennifer, and Chris; and countless friends and loyal customers across the country who loved her big laugh and admired her remarkable talent. Special appreciation goes to her two main caregivers, Jacob and Easter, who kept her as comfortable as possible during the last several years; her housekeeper, Blanca, who was with her for three decades; as well as Charlie Webster, who has kept her jewels available to all for the last 25 years.
A service to honor Rebecca will take place later this summer. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to one of Rebecca’s favorite charities: SPCA of Texas, the North Texas Food Bank, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
One of Rebecca’s favorite quotes was by Oscar Wilde: “A person should be a work of art or wear one.” In her honor, wear her pieces proudly and share the stories that go with it!
What’s your fondest memory of Rebecca?
What’s a lesson you learned from Rebecca?
Share a story where Rebecca's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Rebecca you’ll never forget.
How did Rebecca make you smile?