Rachel Edwards

Rachel Smith Edwards, 89, of Old Greensboro Rd., Chapel Hill, NC, passed away on Monday October 2, 2017 at her residence. A native of Orange County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Floyd and Hartense Rogers Smith. She was known to be a fine Christian with a modest personality who always put others above herself. She loved her family and the times she got to spend with them. She retired from Blue Cross and Blue shield of North Carolina with 28 years of service working in the claims department. She was a lifelong member of Orange Chapel United Methodist Church where she served on many of the Church’s boards and committees over the years. For numerous years she was the Lay Delegate for the Annual Conference which she enjoyed to attend so much. Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Roy Hubert Edwards, of the home; daughter, Sandra Sturdivant, of Chapel Hill; granddaughter, Stephanie Welch and husband Derrick, of Chapel Hill; grandson, Justin Sturdivant, of Chapel Hill; great granddaughter, Olivia Welch, of Chapel Hill; sister, Evelyn S. Neville and husband jack, of Carrboro; brother, Everett Smith and wife Verna, of Mebane and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Pearl S. Honeycutt and a brother, Rev. Glen L. Smith. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday October 5, 2017 at the Orange Chapel UMC with the Pastors Jeanne Neal and Carl Belcher officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM on Wednesday October 4, 2017 at the McClure Funeral Home in Graham and other times at the residence of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Orange Chapel UMC at 1634 Orange Chapel Clover Garden Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 or to the Gideon International at P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800. Condolences may be offered at www.mcclurefuneralservice.net