Rachel Fuller Branford's Obituary
Rachel F. Branford was the daughter of the late William and Josephine Williams Fuller of Mayo, MD. She arrived with a purpose January 8, 1936 and departed her earthly existence on Thursday, November 7, 2013 after a lengthy illness. The Lord allowed her to share her sweet, beautiful light to everyone with whom she came in contact.
As a teen, Rachel enjoyed a pleasant social life amongst her peers, and was outgoing, popular, and had many friends. In her early years, she attended Mill Swamp Elementary School. Rachel graduated from Wiley H. Bates High School in 1954 where she met and married the love of her life James W. Branford (known as Bill Branford) for forty-nine years. While at Wiley H. Bates High School, she shined as a belle on the Homecoming court. Cheering her football team, Rachel enjoyed all sports – football, baseball, and basketball.
Rachel’s career was at Spring Grove State Hospital, as a devoted Nurses’ Aide for thirty-five years. She retired from the state hospital in Baltimore and became an entrepreneur cosmetologist. She gave generously of her time to relatives and friends.
Rachel enjoyed cooking, canning, knitting, and sewing. She was famous for her homemade applesauce, mustard pickle, cakes, and jellies.
Rachel’s famous quotes: “Every goodbye isn’t gone” and “Don’t believe everything you hear”.
Rachel was a long-standing member of Union Memorial Church in Davidsonville, MD. Rachel
served Union Church untiringly. She organized the Young Adult Choir and was the director of the choir known as the Inspiration Choir. She also was a choir member, Sunday School teacher, secretary, treasurer, and a member of the trustee board. She played an integral part in Union Memorial Church. She also organized the first Christmas play in the church that has continued annually through the years.
She was preceded in death by her brothers: William, Charles, Joe, Garfield, Horace, and Paul; and two sisters: Daisy and Mary Mabry. She leaves precious memories to be cherished by her husband, James W. Branford; two sisters: Carrie Tasker and Lillian G. Fuller; two brothers: Howard and James Fuller; six sisters-in-law: Pearl, Betty, Ethel (Harrison), Lillian Walston, Elsie B. Watts, and Ernestine D. Branford; two brothers-in-law: Clarence Tasker and Harvey D. Branford Jr.; along with a devoted friend Queen Esther-Russell; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
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