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Rachel Hill, age 78, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2023.

She was born on March 12, 1945, in Lincolnton, N.C. to the late Mr. Alvin and Mrs. Ethel Little. Rachel was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who will be deeply missed. She will be remembered for her unwavering love for her family, her dedication to education, and her kind and caring nature. She was welcoming, kind, and always interested in what was important in the lives of others.

Rachel is survived by her loving husband, Jim (or Clint as family know him); her three sons Alan (Joy), Stephen (Laura), and Gary (Marcia); her six cherished grandchildren - Emma, Charlotte, Nathan, Kiana, Nolan, and Connor; and her sisters Polly Waters and Evelyn Pate and their children.

Following her graduation from Lincolnton High School as class Valedictorian, Rachel continued her passion for education at High Point College, subsequently transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she and her husband met in English class.  Rachel extended her studies at the University of Kentucky receiving her Master’s Degree in Counseling.

Rachel embodied a life of service as a teacher, school counselor, inspector of state childcare facilities, and as a fellow at the U.S. Department of Education.  Her expertise and love of English composition led her to also work at the local newspaper, the Fauquier Democrat. Rachel was also active in the community and worked to keep her local county from being overdeveloped.

In addition to being an avid reader, especially in Civil War history, Rachel enjoyed working in her garden and happened to discover, after months of laboring one day, that her garden had taken the shape of her beloved home state of North Carolina. Rachel possessed a wonderful intellect with a twinkle in her eye that highlighted her mischievous nature.  With a wonderful sense of humor, she enjoyed playing pranks on her unsuspecting sons.  Pretending a plastic cup of cold black coffee was Pepsi as an unsuspecting son took a sip, or freshly waxing the wood floor in the living room knowing she could watch her boys go for an unexpected slide in their socks. The punchline was her loving cackle at her boys’ reactions.

As Grandma, she loved taking her grandchildren walking through her garden and over the little “troll“ bridge that was set in the middle. Her grandchildren were her true joy and she loved reading stories, playing games, and hosting sleepovers where "What happened at Grandma's stayed at Grandma's'."

Friends and family were invited to attend a local memorial service on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the Moser Funeral Home in Warrenton, Va., with receiving starting at 2 p.m., followed by a chapel service at 3 p.m.

A second service will be held in Rachel's hometown of Lincolnton, N.C. on September 30, 2023, at the Warlick Funeral Home with receiving starting at 1 p.m., followed by a chapel service at 2 p.m. and then burial service at Hollybrook Cemetery.

Warlick Funeral Home of Lincolnton, N.C. is serving the Hill family.

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