Minister Rachel Freeman

June 21, 1974 - December 3, 2023

Minister Rachel Freeman of Lyndhurst went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 3, 2023. She was born on June 21, 1974, a daughter of Major Diggs and Pearl Freeman.

Rachel graduated from Stuarts Draft High School and received her undergraduate from Bluefield College. She further continued her education by receiving two master’s degrees, one in Divinity from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and another in Science with a focus on Mechanical Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Rachel worked as a mechanical engineer with Raytheon. She also worked as a church administrative assistant and bookstore manager. She served her community as a minister, a group leader, youth counselor, tutor, coach, training camp administrator, and a community impact team member.

Rachel was a member of Victory Worship Center, Jubilee Christian Church, Blue Hill Community Church, Four Square Presbyterian Church, and Beulah Baptist Church. She was a member of the church choir, Women of Executive Leadership, ActSports, and of Learn English and Reading Now.

During her high school years, Rachel was highly decorated athlete setting records in track and field and receiving medals in basketball and volleyball. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Stuarts Draft High School and following high school she played basketball for Bluefield College. She continued her love of sports through coaching with ActSports and volunteering as a tutor for multiple organizations.

Aside from Rachel’s love of sports, she enjoyed cooking, traveling, spending time at the ocean and in nature, reading, listening to music, writing, fishing, poetry, and doing DIY Projects. She was the family historian and an avid collector of clocks, books, and key chains. Her favorite shows to watch were Xena the Warrior Princess and CSI.

Rachel was greeted into Heaven by her maternal grandfather, Owen Freeman and her paternal grandparents, Major Durrette and Eleanor Diggs.

Left to cherish her memory are her parents; sister, Jasmine Stewart; maternal grandmother, Verna Woodson; Godson: Jeremiah Brown, Rishon Brown, Ezekiel Brown, Malachi Brown, Lewis Brown, Isaac Brown, Reuben Brown, Eden Brown, Ishmael Brown, and Lewis Brown special friends, Sumaya White and Linda Brooks; as well as numerous, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and friends.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2pm on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, 15 China Clay Rd., Stuarts Draft.

Following the graveside, a celebration of life service will be conducted at 3pm at Victory Worship Center, 200 Hammond Ln., Staunton, with Pastor Tracey Sherrill officiating.

There will be no formal visitation at the funeral home. Those that wish to pay their respects and view Ms. Rachel may come by Charlton and Groome Funeral Home in Fishersville on Friday, December 8, 2023 from 10am until 7pm.

Share condolences and memories online with the family by visiting www.charltonandgroomefuneralhome.com.