Rachel Barker Howell

A diamond of a woman, full of grace and love, Rachel Barker Howell, 86, departed this life to be present with the Lord on Wednesday August 30, 2023 at home, she was in hospice care for a short

time.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Services will be held Sunday, September 3, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with interment following in Magnolia Park Cemetery.

Rachel was born in Langley, South Carolina; her family moved to Warner Robins (Welston), Georgia in 1943 when she was six years old. She graduated from Warner Robins High School and began working for the Department of Defense at Robins Air Force Base at the age of 16. She attended the First Church of God in Warner Robins, where she met her future husband, Bishop Joseph M. Howell. They wed in 1956 and were married for 52 years before he preceded her in death in 2006.

Rachel was a pure servant of the Lord. As a Pastors wife for almost 40 years, she served as church secretary, treasurer, a ladies ministries leader, and wherever else she was needed. Rachel was the glue that held her family together. She loved reading God's word and when she lost her vision to read, she then listened daily along with praying for her family and those in need. Rachel was a pianist and organist, for her churches all through their ministry.

She learned to cook at a young age and loved feeding family and friends. Many enjoyed her meals all throughout the years. The gift of hospitality came naturally to her, along with catering, directing, and decorating for weddings. She also loved to sew and crochet and owned a dress shop. She opened her arms to anyone in need. Rachel also served as the director of Tender Loving Care Day Care for many years. We will miss her greatly.

In addition to her husband, Rachel was preceded in death by her daughter, Teresa Diane Caven of Warner Robins in 2017; and parents, Ernest and Gladys Barker; brothers, Ronald Barker and Daniel Barker; and sister, Brenda Fox; as well as her great-granddaughter, Dixie Tatum Ward on May 4, 2002.

Rachel has two surviving daughters, G. Renee' Ellis (Donald) and Josephine "Josie" Smith (Mark) of Warner Robins, Georgia; one surviving sister, Eunice Samantha Gilmore of Long Beach, California; twelve grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren, and twelve great-great-grandchildren. She was greatly loved by her family and friends.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.