Rachel Gaines Palmer

Rachel G. Palmer was born on January 2, 1937, in Rapidan, Virginia, to the late Mrs. Eva J. Gaines-McDaniel and the late Mr. Julian McDaniel. She was educated in the Virginia public school system and graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Culpeper, Virginia. Rachel was a devoted member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Rapidan, VA, where she joyfully participated in many church activities—singing in the choir and teaching Sunday School among them.

After graduating from high school, Rachel relocated to Washington, D.C., where she met and later married the love of her life, the late Mr. Karcenia Palmer, Sr. From this union, they were blessed with three wonderful children, two beloved grandchildren, and two precious great-grandchildren. In 1975, Rachel joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, where her faith and service continued to flourish. She was an active participant in the Church School and Bible

Study and faithfully served in many ministries, including the Senior Ushers Ministry, Drama Ministry, Culinary Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Senior Stars Ministry. She also held numerous leadership roles, including Sergeant-at-Arms for the Senior Ushers Ministry and Assistant Young Adult Counselor.

Professionally, Rachel dedicated over 34 years of service to the Federal Government, working in several agencies, including the Government Printing Office, the Renegotiation Board, the General Services Administration, and the Department of Justice, where she retired as a Legal Secretary. Her exemplary work earned her numerous honors, including the Department of Justice Distinguished Honor Service Award, recognition from the American Institute of Washington, D.C., and multiple certificates from the Department of Agriculture. Rachel was also a proud and long-time member of the Interdenominational Church

Ushers Association (ICUA) of Washington, D.C. and Vicinity for over 44 years. She graduated from the Catherine E. Mills School of Ushering and served faithfully on many committees, including the Education Department, Nominating Committee (Chairperson), and Women’s Day Committee (Chairperson and Recording Secretary). She also served as Correspondence Secretary for the Christine M. Green Women’s Day Committee and Condolence Secretary for the

June D. May Building Fund Working Unit. Additionally, she served on the Eastern Region Nominating Committee and attended numerous Eastern Region and National Conventions. Her dedication was recognized through honors such as the William H. Davis Woman of the Year Award and the Alma Cooper Hawkins Woman of the Year Award.

Rachel’s favorite saying was, “I love working for the Lord, and I’m willing to do anything for His service.” Her life motto was the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12).

Her favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5-6,“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own

understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Rachel leaves to cherish her memory her three loving children: Beatrice W. Palmer,n Karcenia Palmer, Jr., and Sherrie D. Palmer; one daughter-in-love, Brenda Palmer; one son-in-love-to-be, Mr. Bonnie Lucas; two cherished grandchildren, Shaun K.

Palmer and Amber Palmer-Zivanovic (Dejan Zivanovic); two adored great- grandchildren, Julian Gordan and Zoe Parker; and a host of devoted relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, located at 1636 East Capitol St NE, Washington, DC, on November 14, 2025, starting at 10:00 am.

The Homegoing Celebration will take place at the same venue on November 14, 2025, beginning at 11:00 am.

Interment will follow at National Harmony Memorial Park, 7101 Sheriff Rd, Hyattsville, MD, on November 14, 2025, at 1:30 pm.