Rachel Irvin

Rachel Washam Irvin

November 15, 1923 – April 8, 2020

Rachel Washam Irvin, 96, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.  She lived a full and blessed life.

Born at home on November 15, 1923, Rachel was the daughter of the late Mack Washam and Lena Thompson Washam.  She always liked to say her mother told her that she brought light into the world the day she was born because electricity was turned on in their home on that day.

She married the love of her life, Ben, in 1945.  Having been liberated from a WWII POW camp, he returned home in April, 1945, and they became engaged and were married on her birthday.  They were happily married for 35 years until his untimely death in 1981.

Rachel dearly loved her two grandsons.  She regularly baked and sent cookies to their classrooms during their elementary school years.  A favorite story she liked to tell was the day she transported a family pet miniature goat to Odell Elementary School in the backseat of her car for her grandson’s show and tell day.

At the time of her death, Rachel was the oldest member of Shiloh United Methodist Church.  She smiled and hugged almost everyone she came in contact with.  She loved to say that a line of church members formed each Sunday at church to hug and greet her, and she liked to always have candy in her handbag for the children.  For many years, she held the office of Sunday School Superintendent at Shiloh and was always volunteering for church dinners and events.  Every year, she loved hosting her annual women’s church circle meeting at her home and baked for weeks in preparation. Her favorite hobby in life was baking cookies.

She worked in the cafeterias at both Northwest High School and Odell Elementary School for a total of 25 years and loved saying to the children in line that she had added extra love to the food preparation that day.

At age 92,  due to declining health, she became a resident at Five Oaks Manor in Concord where she carried on her tradition of hugging, waving and smiling.

Many thanks go out to all of her dedicated caregivers and loving friends who provided her with so much love and care at Five Oaks and during her life.

Rachel is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 35 years, Benjamin (Ben) Brown Irvin, her four brothers and three of her sisters.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Harkey (Rob), her grandson, Garrett Harkey (Bekkah), her grandson Jake Harkey (Lauren), her sister, Dot Bartlett (Aubrey), and eight nephews and their families.

A private graveside burial service will take place at Shiloh United Methodist Church.  Memorials may be given to Shiloh United Methodist Church, 4149 Odell School Road, Concord, NC 28027.