Today, as we gather to honor and remember the world's best sister, our hearts are heavy with a profound sense of loss and gratitude. Rachel was more than just a sister; she was a guiding light, a pillar of strength, and a wellspring of love in our lives. Her presence was a source of comfort and joy, and her absence leaves a void that cannot be filled.
From the earliest days of our lives, Rachel was my constant companion, always there with a listening ear and a heart full of understanding. Her laughter was a melody that brightened even the darkest days, and her smile had the power to make everything feel just a little bit better. She had a rare gift for making everyone around her feel valued and cherished, a testament to the depth of her compassion and kindness
Some of my earliest memories was when we lived in Middle Arm, we had three bedrooms so her and I shared a room, we would fight like siblings do, many nights I'd pay her to scratch my back, she loved having money and i got my back scratched.
As a little girl Rachel couldn't pronounce her S. So any occasion that we would get a new dress, she always asked for a pair of red "twos" shoes, Rachel I hope when you entered heaven you were handed a pair of the prettiest red shoes to walk on streets of gold. I could see Pop waiting for ya, saying come on in my doll
She loved to help mom with laundry- hanging clothes on the line ( i have a pic of her in her night gown barely able to reach), she always wanted to help cook no wonder she was better then me. we only got 38 years of being sisters on earth but my sister is now my angel. She was Brookes first baby sitter and they had a special bond, one day while I was vacuuming and the phone rang... On the other end was David introducing himself and asking if he could come and meet my sister after meeting on a chat site, I was scared but he came, the first date it took her hours to get ready, she had clothes every where, she tried on multiple shoes, should I curl my hair or what should I do...she was smitten and it wasn't long before a wedding was happening, they were leaving to go to Colorado two days after the wedding so they didn't go far for the honeymoon... The night of her wedding she text me and said... You wont believe this.... I was scared to ask what. She said Bishop Johnson is in the next room beside us... She got laughing, they both got laughing, the Johnson's were laughing, needless to say there was a lot of laughter going on.
Rachel moved to Colorado 18 years ago and she never once regretted her decision, never ever heard her say " David, lets move back home", she found joy and happiness with her new husband and then when she told us she was expecting a baby, we were all so delighted, and it was a boy- Curtis was born in October and he was a mommas boy, she was such a good momma to him... Then Rae came 4 years later, born with some health issues, but Rachel always told me she is going to be okay, she has gone thru 8 surgeries and every one Rachel was with her for the many hospital stays and one thing was sure she Always prayed over her before every surgery, she had faith that she was going to be okay and now she is perfect and loves shoes and clothes like me and I'm proud of it.
4 years later along came Ms. Norah Rose- the last baby, she was everyone's baby until 2 years ago when Sadie came along then Norah said she was the big girl.
Rachel came home for Christmas with new born baby Norah that year and when my plane touched down in DL, the phone rang and said get here fast Rachel had an infection thru her body, we got to the hospital and we prayed for her, within hours she had completely turned around, she walked out of there and enjoyed the rest of her trip.
Norah became a diabetic, the rest of us ( mainly mom and I- the worriers) were sick with worry, Rachel telling me to calm down and have faith, she said u know Pop Budgell is with us, Norah now has a diabetic pump and it is a lot of work but Rachel was always calm over it.
Curtis graduates this coming June she was already making plans for everyone to be there, so yes sis I promise you, we will be there, giving him the graduation he deserves..
She was always the best sister.. no matter if it was a birthday, anniversary, or any day that ended in Y- she would be sure to reach out to me.
In moments of joy and in times of sorrow, Rachel stood by us with unwavering support. Her advice was never just words; it was wisdom born of love and a genuine desire to see us happy and fulfilled. She had a way of knowing just what to say, just when we needed it most, and her presence was a balm to our souls.
The morning of my surgery on July 31 she text me, told me she loved me and talk to me after. I text her on my way home and she was still waiting for surgery, but a couple hours later they were taking her down she told me she loved me, and she would talk to me in 2 hours. Well that night Jesus took her home, we have so many questions and no answers, but all we can do is trust it was for a reason and his timing.
As we reflect on the time we had with her, we are overwhelmed by both the beauty of her spirit and the pain of her departure. Rachel faced life's challenges with grace and courage, teaching us all the true meaning of resilience.
Though she is no longer with us, her legacy lives on in the countless memories we hold dear. We will forever cherish the moments we shared, from the everyday routines to the extraordinary experiences that defined our time together. Her love and her light have left an indelible mark on our hearts, and we find solace in knowing that her spirit remains with us, guiding us through the days ahead.
Today, we celebrate her life well lived but we do so with hearts full of love and gratitude for the incredible person she was. Her life was a gift, and we are better for having known her. We will carry her memory with us, honoring her by living our lives with the same love, kindness, and courage that she exemplified every day.
Rest in peace, dear Sister. i love you and You will be deeply missed, but your spirit will forever shine brightly in our hearts.
