Rachel Almeda Watiker was born, at home, in Chesterhill, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1937 to the parents of Leonard and Iva Carnes. She gained her Heavenly wings on Oct. 1, 2024, surrounded by her family. She graduated from Chesterhill High School in 1955 as the Salutatorian of her class and was also a varsity cheerleader. She later married Albert D. Watiker, Jr., in 1958 and together they worked hard to build the life they shared.

Rachel was a hard worker. She worked at Ballas Egg and swing shift at Brockway Glass for many years all while carrying and birthing six children as well as caring for a handicapped husband…but you would never know that she was tired as she never complained. She would get up every morning to see her kids off to school and made sure their clothes were always pressed, WHITE, clean shoes, hair combed and even included ironed ribbons! She made sure we had everything we needed. She was so beautiful yet never wanted her picture taken and would hardly accept a compliment. The ROCK, as her husband affectionately called her, and that was so true, she was our ROCK.

Rachel was known for her laundry! She loved doing laundry and many friends and family in Zanesville would bring her their white clothes, well, to make them white again! She had the knack! Lionel’s sports outfits would stay perfectly spotless even though he might slide into home plate or even dive for a touchdown, you would never know by looking at his uniforms. She loved sports, especially college basketball. Grown men would call her to help them complete their March Madness brackets!

In 1981, Rachel and Al started Watiker & Son, Inc., a heavy highway construction company. With the two of them working together, this company was destined for greatness. With many expansions and vastly growing, at that time, computers were still not yet part of the business. Rachel was dutiful in tracking and maintaining all bookkeeping including payroll, taxes, accounts payable and receivables…all by hand! Watiker & Son soon ascended upwards and were invited to New York by Black Enterprise, Inc., to be recognized as one of the Top 100 minority businesses in the nation! A project to note is Bell Street in Zanesville where their exemplary work can still be seen today as they were the contractor of record for the expansion and widening of that street many years ago.

Rachel was an avid reader. She loved reading Amish stories and anything by her favorite author, Karen Kingsbury. In her later years when her vision was challenged, her good friend Madlyn Blackburn, called her every day to read the Bible to her. She not only read it, she explained it like an Evangelist! At the end of their Bible sessions, Rachel would seal the word with prayer; how special is that!? Doris “Perryland” Perry would bring her goodies and encouragement with each visit.

From a young girl, she LOVED children. She would follow her Aunt Sylvia to church so she could hold the babies. Still to this day, she gets excited with each new grandchild to love on. As an adult, Rachel attended Greater Apostolic Church of Christ with her husband and children. As parents, they both had a heart for God and reared their children in a loving, Christian home under the tutelage of Bishop and Sis. Marcia Gaiters, still her bestie to this day. After moving to Gahanna, under the care of Shelly and Lexi, she attended Grace Apostolic Church and later Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith.

Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; granddaughter, Allison ‘Alli’ Rae Watiker; parents, Leonard and Iva Carnes; sisters Vicki Clifford and Lola “Mitty” Carnes; brothers Sherman ‘Joe’ Carnes, and Leonard ‘Jock’ Carnes; nieces LaRhonda Cook and Karissa Hogan; nephew Jeff Carnes and adoptive granddaughter Erica Kelley; two special friends Peggy Gaiters and Maggie Young.

Remaining to cherish her memories are her children – Leslie Watiker, Leisha (Rikki) Corbett, Lionel (Polly) Watiker, Lori Watiker, Lynn (Bobby) Cameron and Lachelle “Shelly” Watiker; eight grandchildren - Lyndsey, Derek, Chase, Brooke, Tanner, Alex, Alexis, and “Alli”; and nine great-grandchildren – Shae, Khyren, Shaelyn, Marcus, Raylee, Kamden, Derek Jr, Kalli, Avery and Chloe; two sisters Mary (Edward) Smith and Melanie (Charles) Preston; other siblings Peggy Kennedy, Caye Walker and Ray Christian; Sisters-in-law; Mary Robinson and Donna Walker; Brothers-in-law – Raymond (Connie) Watiker and Richard “Dick” Watiker; two ‘adoptive’ sons, Steven Johnson and Tony Matthews; many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Rachel had a warm, giving heart. She was strong, yet so gentle and she would not give up! Take your rest now, our momma is going home!

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, with funeral service to follow at 12:00 noon on Tuesday October 8, 2024 at the Grace Apostolic Church, 1743 East Lakeview Ave. Columbus OH 43224 with Elder Seth Gaiters officiating. Burial to follow at 5:00 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery in Zanesville Ohio.

The Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home, 2318 Maple Ave. Zanesville is in charge of the arrangements. To share memories and condolences with Rachel’s family please click on the Tribute Wall tab on this page.