Melinda Rachel McNamara

Daughter, Sister, Mother, Wife, and Friend

June 19, 1976 – October 13, 2026

The dash between those dates, what does it mean to us all? That dash represents the life we lived and the impact we made on the lives of our family and friends. It reflects how well we shared our values and life lessons with the next generation, how deeply we loved our family and friends, the good days and the bad, and the beautiful memories we leave behind.

For Rachel, “the dash” meant time spent on creative projects, singing karaoke with friends, laughing, and making memories. It meant special moments sitting together in deep conversation about a multitude of topics. Rachel held strong opinions and was never afraid to share her point of view. She possessed an immense passion for the arts, and her creativity beautifully reflected her unique talent.

Fiercely independent and innovative, Rachel refused to be held back by anyone or anything. Her tenacity allowed her to push beyond boundaries and thrive entirely on her own terms.

Rachel was an incredibly gifted artist and jewelry maker. She found true peace in using her God-given gifts to create everything from intricate jewelry to stunning paintings. She was incredibly generous with her time, eagerly helping anyone who wanted to learn her crafts. A hardworking, independent-minded woman, Rachel was deeply loved by her family and friends, and she will be missed beyond measure.

Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, James Bearden; her mother, Donna R. Thompson; her father, John K. McNamara; and her sister, Denise R. Henley-McNamara.

She is survived by her children, Kristina Ingram and Alex McNamara; her siblings, Mark McNamara, Danielle McNamara-Smith, Shaun Ryan McNamara, Jay McNamara, and Kelly Cowen-McNamara; and her best friend and husband, Robert Carroll.