Floyd Elizabeth Castain

In Loving Memory of Floyd Elizabeth Castain.
January 26, 1932 – February 15, 2024
Floyd "Elizabeth" Castain (Rachal) passed away February 15, 2024, after a brief illness. The fifth of seven children, Elizabeth was born on January 26, 1932 to Shakespeare and Mary Angelique Rachal. She grew up on the family's 27 acre farm in Opelousas, LA. Elizabeth and her siblings helped their father sow and harvest crops and care for the farm animals.
At school Elizabeth excelled in academics and sports, She enjoyed playing on the all girl basketball team. Her love of the medical field and desire to become a doctor started young and lasted throughout her life. She was awarded a scholarship to Southern University, however, her two brothers had gone into the military and she was needed on the farm. Although disappointed, she stepped up to help her father with the heavy chores.
Just after her 20th birthday, Elizabeth married her childhood sweetheart George Edward Castain and moved to California where they put down roots and raised their four children. She was a true partner to her husband; a caring supportive wife and a trusted advisor. Elizabeth took the valuable lessons she learned at school and on the farm: helpfulness, thrift, hygiene, teamwork, a love of learning, perseverance, commitment; and imparted her knowledge and wisdom to her children. She was always happy to lend a hand, whether it was moving households or babysitting a grandchild for a week. Her humble, helpful spirit and delightful sense of humor made her a joy to be around.
After her marriage, she learned to drive and earned an AA in Psychology, with honors. Elizabeth went on to have an amazing career with the State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), where she single-handedly ran the Worker's Compensation program; a job that required three full-time workers to replace her when she retired.
In her later years she loved going to the casino and playing the penny slots, indulging in her dream of winning big and making her children rich. She donated her time and money to many charitable causes. A devout Catholic, Elizabeth prayed the rosary daily. She was a uniquely wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who cherished her family.
Elizabeth is preceded in death by her loving husband George Edward Castain (2007) and her parents, and siblings James Rachal, Allen Rachal, Effie Albert, Viola Hamilton, and Teresa Cephas. Her younger sister Ruby Donato is the last remaining sibling. She will be deeply missed by her four children Rosalind Castain-Garner, David Michael Castain, Janice (Jerry) Castain-Turner and Sharon (Rob) Castain-Esparza along with her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.