Rachel Richard

Rachel Richard, born April 13, 1939 in Waco, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026, with her loving granddaughters by her side. As her family gathers to remember her, we are filled with gratitude for the remarkable life she led and the legacy she leaves within our hearts.

Rachel’s journey was defined by her tenacity and resilience from a young age. She attended Axtell Schools and later pursued her education passionately, earning multiple associates degrees from McLennan Community College. Throughout her life, she nurtured a tireless curiosity and a deep belief in the power of learning, encouraging those around her never to stop growing.

Family was the heart of Rachel’s world. She is lovingly survived by her daughters Michelle Nelson and Debra Chapman, and husband Rickey, her beloved grandchildren—Mindy Wells and husband Terence, Paige Hartom and fiance Tyler Oglesby, Josiah Hartom and wife Celia, Autumn Finchum and husband Keith, Roy Celis III, Amy Cleveland and husband Chris, Shawna Howard and husband Brayden, Kody Chapman, Shawn Chapman, —brought her immeasurable pride and joy. Her great-grandchildren: Cameron, Myles, Brewer, Lyrah, Christopher, Nicholas, River, Kirstyn, Caydin, Rhett, Conner, great great grandchildren, Adalee, Addison, and Asher, her son-in-law John Hartom.

Rachel’s world was shaped not just by those she leaves behind, but by those she loved and lost. Her parents, Claude and Moheila Moss, daughter, Sheila Russell and a dear cousin, Benevelyn preceded her in death, and their memory remained dearly held in Rachel’s heart.

To know Rachel was to encounter a remarkable blend of spunk and compassion. She was spunky, spicy, and often cheerfully sarcastic, yet she never forgot a kindness, a promise, or even the smallest detail about those she cared for. She was a fighter—a true overcomer on life’s difficult path—and her will to keep moving forward inspired all who knew her. Rachel was famous among her family for saying, “It’s around here somewhere,” a phrase that now brings laughter and sweet memories to those remembering her sharp wit.

Rachel’s deepest pride came from being a helping hand in the AA community, where she stood as a sponsor to many during her extraordinary 52-year journey to freedom and recovery. The countless lives she touched and the hope she instilled in others is a legacy that will never fade.

Gift-giving was one of Rachel’s greatest joys, and she found creative delight in presenting even the smallest treasures. Even while in her nursing facility, she would share the items she earned playing bingo, wanting everyone around her to have a gift. She was a skilled and imaginative gift wrapper, and never missed an opportunity to give a thoughtful card for any occasion. Rachel’s love for little pleasures—especially chocolate—and her joy in dining out with loved ones will be lovingly remembered.

To all who knew her, Rachel was a beacon of steadfast love and fierce loyalty. She created a home filled with laughter, surprise packages, and warm family dinners—memories that now live on as cherished treasures for her family and friends.

A visitation to honor Rachel’s life will be held on August 4, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Grace Gardens Funeral Home & Crematorium, 8220 Woodway Dr, Woodway, TX 76712. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., with burial at Gerald Cemetery, 3782 Bode Rd, Elm Mott, TX 76640, beginning at 12:45 p.m.

In this time of farewell, Rachel Richard’s spirit lives on through generations—each sharing her spark, her generosity, and her unbreakable will. Her memory will forever be a comfort and a blessing to all whose lives were touched by her enduring kindness and love.