According to the 1880 census, her father was born in Maryland and her mother in Pennsylvania. Her birth date was listed as January 1825 in the 1900 census. Also in the 1900 census, Rebecca was listed as bearing 11 children, 7 of whom were living. According to a descendant, Rebecca went blind from Diabetes. The descendant said she was still alive during the Eddyville flood of 1903, but died later that year.
An obituary found by Buckingham descendant, Matt Clark in an un-named newspaper dated June 8, 1903:
Eddyville. June 4. -- Died, Sunday, May 31, at 10 a.m., at the home of her friend, Mrs. Sarah Denning, east of town, Mrs. Rebeckah Watkins, aged 78 years. Miss Rebeckah Buckingham was born in Ohio in October, 1827 (should be 1825?). She was married to William Watkins and together they came to this place in 1855. Having lived here continuously since, she had been a resident of this place for 48 years. Nine children were born of this union, as follows: Joseph, John, Jahu, Ephiran (should be Ephraim), Mary (deceased), Mrs. Doran Nicholson (should be VanDorn Nichelson), of Keb, Mrs. Wallace Shafer of Sumner county, Kansas, Wm., Geo., and Mrs. Chas. Burt of Marshalltown. The sons all live in this vicinity. Her husband died in the autumn of 1901. She was a member of the M. E. church in this place. She had been living in the lower part of town, but owing to the flood she was taken to the country. Owing to her extreme age the excitement was too much for her. She was buried this afternoon at 4 o'clock by the side of her husband in Highland cemetery.
An obituary from The Tuesday Union, Albia, Iowa, June 2, 1903, sent by Steve Hols, contributor #47322079:
Died at the home of Mrs. Sarah Denning, on route No1, Sunday, May 31st, 1903 at 10:00 a.m., Mrs. Rebekah Watkins, aged 78 years, 7 months and 14 days. Her maiden name was Rebekah Buckingham and was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, October 17th, 1824. In the year 18?2 she was united to Wm Watkins in marriage in Ohio.
She had lived here continuously for 49 years having removed directly from Ohio to this place in 1865. Ten children were born to them. The children who survive are five sons and three daughters, as follows; Joseph, John, Ephram, Wm. and Geo. (or dick as he is better known.) all of this place; Mrs. Doran Nicholson of Neb., Mrs. Wallace Shafer of Sumner county, Kansas, and Mrs.Chas. Burt of Marshalltown. Her husband, brothers and sisters had gone on before, Mr. Watkins dying in the autumn of 1901.
She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church here. She had been living in her little home at the corner of south 5th and Plum streets in the lower part of town. Her home being flooded she was taken Saturday to the Joseph Warner home in the north part, but the waters close approach to Mr. Warner's home caused her relatives to take her to the country Sunday morning. Owning to her extreme age and the excitement attendant upon the overflow, she suddenly passed away while seated in her chair.
The funeral took place Monday at 4:00 p.m., from the Denning home, and internment was made in Highland cemetery by the side of her husband. On account of the high water but few could attend and it was not possible to secure a clergyman to conduct services. The old lady had many friends who sincerely mourn her death and sympathize with the relatives.