Rachel May Bell's Obituary
Rachel May Bell (Lewis, Barlow)
Daughter of Everett Churchill & Etta Louise Bell, passed from this life to be with her Lord & Savior on 6th OCT 2014. She was the 3rd daughter born on June 22, 1941 into a family of 8 other siblings. They are: Wanda Hass of Arlington, TX, Joyce Mitchell of Jacksonville, IL, Zonda Bodiford (Jim) of McKinney, TX, Bea Dawson (Jerry) of Decatur, IL & one brother Alan Bell of Jacksonville, IL. Preceding her in death in addition to her parents are siblings Audrey Burgett, Penny Underwood, & Douglas Bell. Two brother-in-laws also preceded her: Don Hass and Paul Burgett.
Rachel will be greatly missed by her two children: Cindy Lewis Black (husband Mark) & Foraker (Corky) B. Lewis III. She adored her grandchildren and showered them with hugs, kisses, & cookies. They are: Olivia Grace & Benjamin Heath Black; and Sr. Airman Joshua Benton Lewis currently serving in the USAF stationed at Scott AFB whom she was very proud of.
She leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews: Mary Jones, Christie Friesner, & Bobby Mrotzek of Decatur, IL; Lori Cobb, Teresa Ross, Glenn Wayne Stephenson, Jason Smith & Jeremy Bodiford of TX; Brian Burgett of California; Carrie, Brad, & Duane Burgett of AZ; and their spouses and children.
Rachel was a true American. She was a proud descendant of: American Revolutionary War soldier Benjamin Frazee; War of 1812 soldier Jesse Bell Jr.; Civil War soldiers: Elijah Bell; Henry H. Gaddis – PVT with the 6th KY Cavalry who was captured at the Battle of Chickamauga and died in Andersonville prison in 1864 as a POW.
Rachel graduated from Lakeview High School Class of 1960 in Decatur, IL with two longtime friends Janice Bender Christie and Marsha Bradshaw Par. She retired from Borg – Warner in Decatur, IL.
Rachel gave her life to Jesus Christ and was baptized @ Grace Baptist Church in Decatur, IL. When she moved to Ashland in 2006, she attended Rose Hill Baptist Church and dearly loved her Sunday School Class.
Rachel was loved by so many and she had the personality that she enabled her to make friends wherever she went. She loved her friends at Gla-Low apartments: Charlie, Brenda, Larry, Penny, Carol, & Susan. She loved John, Todd, & Mary Ann Barlow of Bloomington, IL. Two other close friends were Donna Lewis & Phyllis Profitt.
Visitation will be @ Lazear Funeral Home of Ashland, KY on 10th of October 2014 @ 4:00 pm. Service will be officiated by Hospice Chaplain Roger Wireman. Rachel will be interred with her mother, father, sister, & brother @ Fairlawn Cemetery in Decatur, IL with a graveside service on the 28th of Nov 2014 @ 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations sent to Woodland Oaks Resident Council Fund or Rachel’s Sunday School Class at Rose Hill Baptist Church both of Ashland, KY.
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