Rachel J. Hallen, 96, of Atlanta, died April 30, 2019. Rachel Sarah Johnson was born July 17, 1922, Yadkinville, N.C. She graduated from Reynolds High School Winston-Salem, N.C., and then the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, N.C. with a degree in Music Education. Rachel was choral director at Fayetteville High School N.C. prior to accepting a position as Secretary Accompanist at Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts. In May, 1948, Rachel married Robert Oscar Hallen, in Washington DC. They were married for 57 years, until Bob’s passing in 2005. During 1954, Rachel and Bob moved to Atlanta, where they raised 4 sons. Rachel taught piano lessons in the Atlanta area for 25-years. She further shared her rich music talents by serving as pianist in her Sunday School Class at Peachtree Presbyterian Church (the Gene & Martha Wilson Classes) for more than 60-years, and by starting and participating in piano duet clubs in Atlanta and Perry, Georgia. Rachel was very active in the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, the Atlanta Music Club, and the Presbyterian Women of the Church.
Rachel is pre-deceased by her parents, Lee Gurney Johnson and Thalia Brown Johnson; her husband, Robert Oscar Hallen; her son, Robert John Hallen; her brother, Lester Graham Johnson; and her sister, Mary Lou Needham. Rachel is survived by her sons Gary L. Hallen and his wife, Mary Beth, of Kingsport, TN; George A. Hallen and his wife, Sandra, of Marietta, GA; and John E. Hallen and his wife, Cindy, of Dunwoody, GA, plus nine grandchildren, three great-granddaughters, and sister, Sylvia J. Criner of Raleigh, NC
Rachel will be remembered for the joy, love, positive outlook and enthusiasm she displayed to everyone she met, and by her impromptu piano playing in any setting.
A memorial service will be at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages persons to donate to either the Salvation Army or Peachtree Presbyterian Church, in honor of Rachel.
