Rachel McCarn

Rachel Lorinda Parker McCarn, 81, of Hopkins, SC, passed away on August 22, 2025, a mere 39 days after the death of her husband, Kenneth Rodney McCarn, to whom she was married for 59 years and with whom she lived the military life for over 22 years.

Rachel was born June 29, 1944, in Gastonia, NC to Polly Jane Stanford Parker and James Clanton "Sam" Parker. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Harold, and sisters, Aileen and Mary Lois. She is survived by her sister, Aretha, and her brother, Dale (Susie), as well as her children: Jeff (Fabienne), Lisa (Chris), Rodney (Stephanie), and Jason (Laura). Also left to cherish her memory are many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Although she worked outside the home at various times throughout her life, Rachel was primarily a stay-at-home mother who was active in the Church of God Servicemen's Centers wherever she and Rodney were stationed. Among other postings, this included Ft Sill, OK; Ft Bragg, NC; Erlangen, Germany; Ft. Lewis, WA; Ft Jackson, SC; Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD; and Corzal, Panama. After military life, Rachel remained active in her local church, especially with the Ladies Ministry and the Seniors Group who called themselves The Trees of Righteousness after Isaiah 61:3. Rachel also volunteered at the VA retirement home for over 24 years while raising her family and keeping up the home.

Rachel loved to laugh and have fun. She adored her large family and planned many parties each year to bring them together. This included the annual Parker Christmas Party which is now in its 64th year, as well as a yearly combined birthday party scheduled near July 4th to celebrate her birthday, her brother's birthday, her husband's birthday and her niece's birthday in addition to the birthday of our nation. These get-togethers have been an essential factor in the closeness and interconnectedness of her extended family.

Above all else, Rachel was dedicated to her Lord with an unwavering faith. She was brought up in the church and began ministering at a young age when she would accompany her father on visits to shut-in's, the sick and those who were grieving. These experiences followed her throughout her life and guided her in developing her own form of ministry to the sick, elderly and destitute wherever she was in the world. She was a stalwart of faith and loyalty throughout her entire life and she will be greatly missed.

A Homegoing service will be held for Rachel on Friday, September 5th, 2025 at 11 a.m. Thompson Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209.

"Forever in our hearts."