Rachel Thomasson Yamada

Rachel Yamada, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away surrounded by her loving family. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Shokei Yamada, she is survived by her children: Vivian, Cheryl, and Brian.

Rachel was the daughter of Thomas Nelson and Mary Leila Thomasson. She was born in York, South Carolina, on February 29, 1936. She occasionally used her leap-year birthday to calculate her age, delighting in turning 22 instead of 88 this past year! As the second youngest of ten children growing up on a farm, she learned early the values of resilience, hard work, and doing “your share” of the responsibilities.

Rachel excelled both academically and athletically, and her drive to succeed took her far. She was valedictorian of York High School and a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing at the University of South Carolina. She was a star on her varsity basketball team, eventually being inducted into her school’s Hall of Fame. Later, she was awarded Outstanding Female Athlete at her nursing school. Rachel chose a career in nursing—a path that combined her intelligence, compassion, and commitment to helping others. Having earned her nursing certificate at Greenville General Hospital, she and a group of friends embarked on a cross-country adventure to work in Long Beach, California.

Rachel later returned to University of South Carolina for her B.S. in nursing and then moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where she met the love of her life, Shokei, a young neurosurgeon from Japan. They married in 1969 and built a life filled with purpose and meaning, raising their three children. The family moved to Riverside, California, in 1973, where Shokei and Rachel remained. However, Rachel never lost her connection to her Southern roots, evident in her hospitality and warmth.

Rachel's devotion to her family was unmatched. Whether helping with homework, playing baseball with Brian, driving Vivian to swim practice before dawn, or cheering Cheryl on in softball, she poured her heart into their lives. At the same time, she was an indispensable partner to Shokei in his demanding career, editing research papers, organizing presentations, and attending conferences. Rachel also embraced her connection to Shokei’s extended family in Japan, balancing her roles as wife, mother, and administrator with grace.

In her later years, Rachel’s greatest joy came from her family, especially her grandchildren: William, Caroline, Donovan, and Dylan. She had a twinkle in her eye that shone most brightly when she spent time with them. Whether playing games on the floor, hunting for Easter eggs, swimming, cooking with them, or attending their events, Rachel created lasting memories. She also took immense pride in their accomplishments and supported their dreams.

Rachel’s drive and generosity were boundless. Even at 88, she worked out at the gym. After surviving breast cancer in her mid-60s, she became determined to take risks and step out of her comfort zone, forming meaningful friendships wherever she went. When her avocado tree bore fruit, she made the effort to pick and distribute avocados for weeks, sharing her bounty with others.

Rachel was also a passionate sports enthusiast. Her family room was often filled with the sounds of college football, basketball, or professional baseball. Despite her waning energy, she followed the World Series and South Carolina football until she could no longer see the TV in her final weeks.

Rachel will be remembered for her deep devotion to her family, her strength of character, intelligence, generosity, and thoughtfulness. Her passing leaves a profound void in the lives of all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Rachel’s family will celebrate her life on February 16, 2025 (there will also be a virtual option). For details, please email [email protected].

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