Rachel Charlotte (Heath) Williams

January 1st, 1927 was a very cold Saturday, but Gabie Janes and Glennie Mae Koonce Heath were excited to welcome their fifth child, Rachel Charlotte Heath into their family. The household already had three boys, Whitford, Levie and Tull and one girl, Revena. Rachel was an exciting addition to the rather large Heath family in the Cove City area. They were living on the family ancestral land and life was satisfying. The family attended Core Creek FWB Church as this as the church founded by Rachel’s 2nd great grandfather, Rev Jeremiah Heath. She attended the Cove City School and didn’t exactly enjoy the one mile walk each way daily.

Unfortunately, at age six, her mother died from typhoid and Rachel immediately became the spoiled baby by her brothers and her sister, Revena, her best friend, became her surrogate mother and would remain so for the rest of her life.

Cove City is a very close-knit farming community, and most families are related to each other in some fashion. Rachel was able to know, enjoy and appreciate her rather large extended family including several generations of much older relatives. Many of these relatives included members of the McCoy’s, Whites, Averys, Koonce, Riggs families as well as others. Even though the Depression had started, life was good on the farm.

In 1945, she married a local boy, Henry Lee Williams. Henry was serving in the US Marines, the only thing Henry had to his name was a bicycle and a guitar. He had a unique voice that Rachel fell for, being able to sing and yodel. They moved to New Bern and Rachel got a job, first, at Kress Five and Dime and later, she worked at the Coleman and Goldman Sewing room. She worked there until Henry was released from the military when the war ended.

After the war, they returned to Cove City and Rachel became a full-time farmer’s wife. They moved onto the Pike Family farm owned by Henry’s grandfather. On the farm in 1947 their first child, Rodman Lavern was born. A few years later, they moved to Mr. Trace Gaskins farm, a few miles down the road at Davis Forks intersection. During this time, Rachel learned to drive an automobile. She had been practicing driving Henry’s new Farmall tractor but had wrecked it a couple of times. Once she got her “real” license, she never drove any of Henry’s tractors again.

In January 1958, they purchased a farm just north of Bridgeton in the Truitt community and welcomed their second child, Charlotte Ann, into the world. Rachel joined Spring Hope FWB Church and was baptized there in 1960. She and Henry were easily accepted in this small community and made many close friendships over the years. Rachel became especially close to Mrs. Estella Cuthrell and family as well as Mrs Josephine Ipock and her family. This would be their final move as they continued to farm for the next 18 years until Henry’s retirement. Rachel then returned to public work. Hudson Manufacturing and New Bern Garment were her first two jobs. She then enjoyed working as the seamstress for Craven Regional Hospital until her department was eliminated due to cost-saving measures. However, she moved on to work in the hospital cafeteria and later as an aid at Howell’s Child Care Center. As Henry’s health declined, she needed to stay at home and took up the art of fish net hanging and repairing. She developed a large following of loyal customers over the next 15 years. Rachel will be fondly remembered as “The Net Lady”. Rachel continued to care for Henry until his death in April 1992.

Rachel started slowing down a bit when she reached her early 80s. She had decided to retire when she was asked to provide housekeeping and home health services for an old family friend. A caregiver at heart, she found this job most rewarding. At age 86, she formally retired. The farming instinct ran deep and while she could not continue a large, active garden she would always plant a few tomatoes, squash and cucumbers. Never one to stay still, Rachel discovered the Flea Mall in Morehead City. For several years, she would pack up her car with all sorts of treasures and assorted stuff and set up shop at the Flea Mall. Her last visit to the Flea Mall was at age 89.

During her 90th decade, Rachel’s daughter Ann and son-in-law Lash moved into the family home with her to allow all three to enjoy Senior Life together. Unfortunately, her son, Rodman died on May 25, 2022. Rachel continued to thrive, remain feisty and enjoy life until she suffered a fall in March 2023. While not seriously injured, this initiated the start of her declining health.

On the evening of May 24, 2023, while resting comfortably at home, Rachel Charlotte Heath Williams departed this earthly world and is now joyfully reunited with her family and friends in Heaven.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, Gabie James and Glennie Mae Koonce Heath, her Husband, Henry Lee Williams, her son, Rodman Lavern Williams, her three brothers, Whitford, Levie and Tull Heath, one sister, Revena Heath Murphy.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Ann Williams Kwasnick Hacker, (Lash); Grandson, Daniel Kevin Williams (Jane); Granddaughter, Rachel Marie Kwasnick Price (Lewis); special cousins, June Heath Banks, Gretchen Andrews Hill and Carson Koonce; special niece and nephew: Claudia Murphy Collins and Brian Heath. Twenty-four additional nieces and nephews also survive.

The family wishes to thank Nina Hacker Horton, Wanda, Shady and Jessie Toler, and Annette Ipock Atwell for their kind and generous contributions and support along the way.

Special thanks to Dr. J. Phillip Mahaney (Ret.) and Dr. William Wike for their excellent medical care for over 30 years.

And lastly, a sincere thank you to Amedisys Home Health and Hospice and their skilled team of professionals.

Farewell celebration Friday, June 2nd at 11:00 at Cotton Funeral Chapel. With Rev Riley Green and Rev T. Franklin Osgood officiating. There will be family visitation immediately AFTER the service. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 pm at Cove City Cemetery where Rachel will be laid to rest next to her husband, Henry Lee Williams and other immediate family members.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cottenfuneralhome.com for the Williams family.