Rachel Rebecca (Smith) Brown was born on December 12, 1930 to the late Thomas Smith and Fannie (Jones) Smith in Capron, VA. Known as a hard-working woman, Rachel began working as a housekeeper at the age of 11 and continued to work faithfully until she was 80 years old.

Mother Rachel was a lifelong member of the Tabernacle of God Holiness Church. Never wanting her hands to be idle, she was a Church Mother, choir member, and even cleaned the church for many years. A joy to everyone she met, Rachel always spread the love of Jesus to all. She was affectionately known as “The Tambourine Lady” because she joyously played her tambourine at church, as well as anywhere else that music was played.

Married to Lewis Brown for 66 years, Rachel was the loving mother to Elijah (deceased), Lloyd, and Violee; and mother-in-law to Ella. She was the adoring grandmother, known as Baba, to Antonio, Lloydale, Tamara, Sandye, Phil, and Faith. She also has many great-grandchildren that she loved very much. Predeceased by several siblings: Florence, Bessiebell, Reuben (her twin), Napoleon, and Eva; Rachel leaves to cherish her memory one brother, Thomas; and two sisters, Becky and Virgie.



More than anything, Mother Rachel wanted people to live for the Lord. Two of her favorite sayings were, “Live the life you sing about”, and “Whatever you do for the Lord, let it be real.”