Rachel Ann Abernathy

Rachel Ann Abernathy, 80, of Stanley, NC passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 2, 2024, at Robin Johnson House. Rachel was born March 28, 1943, in Dallas NC. She was raised in Stanley and attended Stanley schools. She was a member of Stanley Pentecostal Holiness Church. Rachel was a devoted mother, raising her four children after her divorce on her own. She often worked 2 or 3 part time jobs in addition to her full-time job at Timken to ensure her children had what they needed. Through her example, she taught her children from a young age to work hard and to be self-sufficient. Though she loved her children with all her heart, her most favorite title was “Mamaw”. She often said if she had known grandchildren would be so much fun, she would have had them first! Her cookie jar was always filled with treats and no permission was ever needed to eat them! Very little, if anything, was ever denied to them. Rachel is survived by her children, Susan Cope Mullis (Jim) of Mt. Holly, Cheryl Cope Menard (Tommy) of York SC, Nina Cope Hovis (Wayne) of Stanley and Jeffrie Cope (Melissa) of Indian Trail; grandchildren Luke Starcher (Kendle), Daniel Starcher (Jackie), Megan Wheeler (Chad), Sara Wood (Davis), Brandon Skidmore (Amber), Emily Harris (Cody), Hillary Cozart (Zach), Haley Hovis (Kaleb), Riley Menard, Astrid Cope and Seanan Cope; great grandchildren Alexis, Avery, Colton, Rylan, Ellie, Carter, Charlotte, Roman, Zayne and lots of “furry 4 legged grandbabies”. She is also survived by her brother Jerry Abernathy and wife Vickie of Mt Holly and sister Kathy Hinkle and husband George of West Virginia, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Rachel was preceded in death by her parents Mack and Thelma Abernathy, brother David “Abby” Abernathy, sisters Betty Walker and Barbara Orr. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Angels on Earth, Leann King NP, Paula Robb RN and Alex Reid of Gaston Hospice and Palliative Care and the staff of Robin Johnson House for their love, care and compassion. Flowers are welcome; in lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Gaston Hospice & Palliative Care/Robin Johnson House. A graveside service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery, Mount Holly, NC. The family will receive friends at various times at their home. Condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mount Holly is serving the family.

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