Hettie Bernice Rachel

Hettie Bernice Rachel age 94 passed away peacefully, Tuesday March 12 at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 20, 1929, in Pope County to Gus and Ora Welcher.

She married James Erwin Rachel on August 26, 1950, and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and soon to be great-great- grandmother. Hettie was an almost 65-year member of Russellville First Church of the Nazarene where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, was a board member as well as assisting in the building of the new sanctuary in 1980. She was employed by International Shoe and Frolic Footwear Companies for 39 years, before beginning a new job at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Central Reprossing where she worked another decade and was affectionately known throughout the hospital as "Mrs. Hettie."

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, James Erwin Rachel; their oldest son, James "Sonny" Rachel, two brothers, J.B. and Robert (Bud) Welcher, two sisters, Dorothy Venable, and Iva Price and a son in law Rev. David Craig.

She is survived by her children, Paul Rachel (Dover), Patti Craig, David Rachel and wife Lorie, Carole Muncy all of Russellville, and daughter-in-law, Becky Rachel; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Ruth Turnbow of Russellville; and Anna Allison of Greenbrier; and numerous nieces and nephews; and 1 great and 1 great-great grandchild on the way.

A graveside service will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 16, at Booher Cemetery in Mill Creek community under the direction of Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins with Rev. Larry Pless life-long family friend officiating.

There will be no formal visitation, however, open viewing will be available between 2:00 and 4:00 PM Friday, March 15th at Lemley Chapel.

Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.