RACHEL ADEL GARRIS
May 3, 1923-April 6, 2009
MOUNT OLIVE -- Rachel was the daughter of the late Melvin and Laura Frances Barwick Garris. She previously had homes in the Village of Walnut Creek and Fredricksburg of Goldsboro before returning to the Mount Olive area to be nearer her family. Though she never had children of her own, she had strong motherly instincts which led to her taking an active part in the rearing of several children to include her niece, the late Linda Marie Garris Hackle, of whom she was overly fond.
Rachel was an honor graduate of Seven Springs High School and Worth Business College in Raleigh. She had an inherent musical talent as she could play both piano and organ. In earlier years, she traveled extensively, attending the Billy Graham Crusade in the '50s under a tent when the collection was taken up in old fashioned tin buckets. She took in all of North Carolina's outdoor dramas, went on cruises, a trip to Mexico, and a three-week tour of Europe, which included Paris to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, the Vatican, the opera, "Ai`do" in Rome, Italy, and the Isle of Capri.
Rachel was predeceased by her siblings, Julia Frances Garris Williams Edwards, Pennie Elizabeth Garris Edwards and Paul Barwick Garris; nieces, Laura Mae Williams, Linda Marie Garris Hackle, Blanche Williams Wilson; nephew, James Kenneth Edwards; and nephew-in-law, Ned Shivar.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Melvin Wayne Edwards and wife, Sadie, of Seven Springs, Jean Edwards Brinson and husband, L.H., of Richlands, Paula Garris Craig and husband, Bob, of Pikeville, Oscar Milton "Dick" Edwards, and Marjoray Williams Shivar, both of Seven Springs, nephew-in-law, Joseph William Wilson of Mount Olive, and also by a young man she reared, Harley Edwards of the home. She also has many great- and many great-great-nieces and nephews to include Rachel's namesake, Laura Rachel Barwick Rouse and one great-great-great-nephew, baby Wilson Dexter Rouse.
Warm feelings are extended to all who assisted us along this journey -- to note Candy, who cared for Rachel in her home after a hospital stay; to Louise Lane, who took her so many hot meals; and to Donald Williams, who, for three months, drove Marjoray to Life Care in Rocky Mount for visits with Rachel. Rachel's earthly journey ended at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro on Monday afternoon, April 6, 2009.
Her extended family and friends are welcomed to visit (in casual attire) with her nieces and nephews, this evening from 7 to 9 at the home of her great-niece, Mary Frances Wilson Guilliams and husband, Jimmy, at 923 Kelly Springs Road near Mount Olive. Mary Frances' home is next door to the home of her parents, Joseph (and the late Blanche) Wilson.
As a memorial to Rachel, please consider a contribution to the Perpetual Care Fund for Pineview Cemetery, c/o Frazier Hardy, 2078 Zion Church Road, Mount Olive, N.C., 28365.
A graveside service will be held at the Melvin Garris Family Cemetery plot (which adjoins Pineview Cemetery) near Seven Springs, on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Her cousin, the Rev. Gerald Garris, will preside.
Arrangements are being handled by Tyndall Funeral Home, Mount Olive.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 7, 2009 1:47 PM