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Rachel Granger Gill
Black Mountain - Rachel Granger Gill, a resident of Highland Farms and formerly of Weaverville and Atlanta, died on January 22, 2014.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2014, at 2pm at Weaverville First Baptist Church.
Born October 26, 1931 in Hickory, NC, Rachel was the daughter of the late D.D. (Buck) Granger and the late Ethel Carter Granger. She was one of eight children born to Buck and Ethel, and grew up during the rural Depression, a circumstance that influenced her whole life. Rachel graduated from Mars Hill Junior College (1952), Wake Forest College (1955), and Southeastern Baptist Seminary (1985).
She is survived by her husband, Everett (Buddy) Gill; son, Stephen T. Gill of Decatur, GA; and granddaughter, Maris T. Gill; daughter, Emily Gill of Asheville; and sister, Josephine Fleming (John) of Orlando, FL.
In 1964 the family moved to Penn Center in low country South Carolina where they worked for four years in the civil rights movement. When they moved to Atlanta, GA, Rachel was editor of Alternatives Magazine and later was a feature writer for Missions USA, a publication of the Southern Baptist Convention. Traveling with a photographer to chronicle ministries in urban and rural missions throughout the United States, she won several national awards for her work.
As a member of Oakhurst Baptist Church, Decatur GA, Rachel was one of the first two women deacons ordained by a Southern Baptist church in Georgia. She held congregational leadership positions in the church during several decades of significant change.
Beginning with a gift of piano lessons from her grandmother, Rachel became church pianist while in high school. She developed a lifetime of music, and sang with Acapella groups and church choirs, including Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church (Asheville).
Rachel served on the boards of Seeds Magazine and The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. The family requests that any gifts on Rachel's behalf go to organizations that give direct aid to people in need or that effectively promote peace.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals.
www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Valenda Newell
March 14, 2017
She was a sweetheart.
[email protected]
James Thorson
October 23, 2015
May the God of comfort give you and your family the strength you needed in your time of sorrow.
Vernell Miller
February 27, 2014
My deepest condolences to the Gill family and friends. It is terrible to loose a loved one to death. May you draw close to the God of all comfort Ps 145:18.
S. Scott
February 13, 2014
My Condolences To Your Family At This Time Of Greif May The God Of Peace Be With You John 11.25
Df
February 9, 2014
May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of sorrow." Those who die God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes." (Psalms 116:15)
February 8, 2014
After reading about what such a good person Rachel was It really stood out to me that through her life e she was all about being equal. I thought you and your family would like the thought at acts 10:34,35. It talks about how Jehovah God wasn't partial and didn't care what nation people were from but that they all were the same. So I think that would be a good scripture to share with your family and letting you see that Rachel shared that godly quality of being equal. She was a good person.
Nigel S
February 3, 2014
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
G. Freeman
February 3, 2014
Offering my deepest condolences to the Gill family. May we always keep her loving memories in our hearts as she advocated for those who needed justice. May God remember her loving kindness for all Psalms 37:10,11,29.
Viola Reed
February 1, 2014
May God give the family strength at this difficult time (Isaiah 57:15). Rachel will always be remembered by those she touched and the legacy she left behind. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dawn Palmer
February 1, 2014
So sorry for your loss. What an incredible lady. May the scriptures bring you comfort.
Jay E
February 1, 2014
Rachel Gill was a beautiful person who would find comfort in God's word at Isaiah 65:21&22. "They will not build for someone else to inhabit, Nor will they plant for others to eat."
pb
January 31, 2014
Sorry for your loss may god be with you.
January 31, 2014
To family and loved ones, please accept my sincere condolences. Find comfort in the fact that this extraordinary woman helped make our country a better place. She was an Angel long before she arrived in Heaven.
Tony Elliott
January 31, 2014
Sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be your source of comfort at this time.
January 31, 2014
So sorry for your loss. I can still sing the Russian folk song Rachel and Buddy taught the congregation at Oakhurst. Please know that the Gill family will remain in my prayers.
Lynda Armstrong Newsome
January 30, 2014
May the family of Rachel Gill please accept my sincere condolences. The day is coming soon when the Prince of Peace will see that there is justice and equality for all. I will remember the family and friends in my prayers.(Isaiah 9:6,7)
Spencer
January 30, 2014
My God be your stronghold during these hard times. Nahum1:7
January 30, 2014
I am so sorry for your great loss. May the God who is 'binding up the brokenhearted and comforting those mourning' sustain you during this most difficult time in your life. (Isa. 61:1,2). Again, my deepest sympathies.
January 30, 2014
With deepest sympathy to your family. May the love of God, family, and friends comfort you during your time of bereavement and get you through the days ahead.
Walker
January 30, 2014
I wish to express my sympathy to the family, God promises to wipe every tear from our eyes.
A R
January 30, 2014
I met Rachel at Wake Forest University with my deceased husband, John Claypool, and we both admired her tremendously. Later, I came to know more about what an incredible person she was from her devoted niece and my friend, Carol Baker. I know Rachel will be dearly missed and send my sincere condolences to all her loved ones.
Ann Beard
January 27, 2014
My condolence to the Gill family.
Pat
January 27, 2014
Steve,
I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you and your family.
Angela Strode
CASA
January 27, 2014
Steve, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. Your family will be it my thoughts and prayers.
Felicia B. Steverson
January 27, 2014
Steve and Buddy, I was sorry to learn of Rachel's passing, but it reminded me of her extraordinary life and the fruits of kindness, truth-telling and gentle humor that flowed through it--and through you. Please know of my deepest respect and affection for you all. Gary Gunderson
Gary Gunderson
January 26, 2014
Buddy, Steve, and Em--we haven't seen each other in decades but the Gill clan still holds a deep and warm place in my heart. My days with you at Oakhurst were the richest of my life, especially because of Rachel and her loving, serving, caring, laughing spirit. I will be thinking of you in the days ahead.
Clay Price
January 26, 2014
Rachel was my hero. I still want to be her when I grow up. Sarah Zimmerman
January 25, 2014
Buddy,Steve,Rachel,Maris, we are walking with you praying God's peace is strengthening you in thanksgiving praises for God's gift to you through Rachel. A beautiful loving wife,a caring,wise, Mother and Grandmother.I feel that she uplifted every person she touched. Now we must keep our eyes on Jesus as she talks with Him about helping us walk in His way and come to be with them some day. His grace is more than sufficient. II Corinthians 12:9 Faye & Paul Comer
Faye/Paul Comer
January 25, 2014
Rachel was one of the most genuine and caring women I've ever known. And I was very lucky to have sat beside her in choir at Oakhurst Baptist for many years and enjoyed her humor and friendship. She was a very special lady!
Karen Martin
January 24, 2014
Emily, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending love to you!
Donna Stafford
January 24, 2014
Steve,
I'm so sorry about the loss of your mother, Rachel Gill. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. We are here to support you with anything you need.
Heather Melton
January 24, 2014
My deepest sympathies go out to Buddy, Steve and Emily. Rachel was an integral part of my joining Oakhurst Baptist Church. I will never forget the look on her face when I met her for lunch to discuss my being a tutor for the neighborhood kids and she saw my 9mm Glock on my hip. Rachel had no idea that I was an Investigator with the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office in the Juvenile Division and my weapon was a part of my everyday attire. Rachel always had the brightest smile on her face and gave me such joy being around her. I will miss her and know that another angel is waiting to welcome me when my time comes. I love you Rachel.
Diane Ansley
January 24, 2014
Sincerest condolences to Steve and all members of the Gill family on your loss.
Linda McKinley
January 24, 2014
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