Rachel was born on July 6, 1940, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia — the 9th and last child of Walter Lee Rogers and Jessie Irene (Thompson) Rogers. Rachel was proud to grow up as a farm girl in Boydton, Virginia.

Church and school were a big part of Rachel’s life. Rachel graduated with honors from Bluestone High and was a proud graduate of Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. She made lifelong friendships along the way. At Meredith, the paths of Rachel Rogers and Bill Thompson merged, and life would never be the same. Three years later, on June 1, 1963, Rachel and Bill were united in marriage at Liberty Baptist Church in Skipwith, Virginia, and they began their 55+ years together.

Everyone who ever met Rachel said she was one of the nicest people they ever met. She held two master’s degrees and found her calling in teaching. Rachel taught preschool at First Baptist Tyler and kindergarten in the Tyler public schools for many years. She collected children’s books and loved sharing them with her students.

Rachel’s life was richly blessed by the love of her devoted husband Bill. She was also loved and cherished by her son David and his wife Becca, her grandson Chris and granddaughter Samantha, as well as her sisters Ethel Faison and Geneva Collins, her sisters-in-law Frances Rogers, Sue Thompson, and Alice Randall, and many loving and caring nieces, nephews, and cousins.

On the stone that marks Rachel’s grave at Hall Cemetery in Howe, Texas will be the words, “She loved and was loved.”

Join us in celebrating Rachel’s amazing life at First Baptist Church, 325 W. McCarty Lane, San Marcos, TX, on Friday, April 5, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Rachel’s memory to the charity of your choice.

Please visit www.harrellfuneralhomes.com to share a fond memory, photograph, or condolence with Rachel’s family on her online memorial site.

Funeral assistance provided by Harrell Funeral Home, 1715 Kirby Lane, Kyle, TX 78640 512-268-8200.