Rachel Hickman Spencer entered this world on September 8, 1924, and after a remarkable life of 100 years, departed this earth to join the heavenly chorus on December 18, 2024.

She was born to Walter Edward Hickman and Elizabeth Hatcher Hickman in her grandfather’s farmhouse in Lexington, Va. The family moved to Covington, Va., when Rachel was five. She graduated from Covington High School in the Spring of 1942 and then matriculated to Erskine College, where she graduated in 1946 with a degree in musical performance.

Rachel was then accepted to Eastman School of Music at Rochester University to pursue a career as a concert pianist. Before heading to New York, she decided to take a gap year to earn a little money. So she got a job teaching music at Barium Springs Home for Children in Troutman, N.C. Yet God had other plans for her as she never made it to Eastman because she met the love of her life at Barium. Golden Lee Spencer was an WWII Army veteran who had just returned to Barium after the war ended because that had been his only home since 1928. And so young Rachel fell madly in love with this handsome war veteran. When asked what she found so compelling about Lee, she said, “he just made me feel so safe!”

Lee and Rachel were married on July 17, 1948, remaining at Barium, where Rachel gave birth to her first child, Nancy, in 1949. The young family moved to Statesville in 1952, taking up residence on Hartness Road, where Rachel delivered sons, Richard in 1953, Earl in 1955, and Eddie in 1962. In 1957, there was no kindergarten in public schools, so Rachel started one in her own home, educating a number of neighborhood children as well as her own. Did she charge anyone to attend? No, not a dime!

While Rachel never made the trip to Eastman School of Music to become a concert pianist, her musical gifts became the prism through which many experienced her. From 1946 to 2016, Rachel taught music in public schools and to private students. In 1963, she turned her teaching skills to the Language Arts classroom, working with fifth- and eighth-graders until she retired in 1986.

Rachel also served as a church organist and choir director for 85 years, and being the servant she was, she always returned her salary to the church. From 1973 until her death, Rachel served Covenant ARP Church, not just as organist, but also as a coveted youth and adult Sunday School teacher. Before that she served in the same roles at Oakland Presbyterian Church from 1952 to 1972.

Rachel’s largesse and desire to serve others extended to all areas of her life. Even as she offered students private lessons, she never charged students more than $5 for a lesson. You see, earning money wasn’t the objective. Helping young people discover the gift of music and being able to joyfully share it with others was her goal.

Rachel was also a highly sought after accompanist and performance judge. She was asked to play and judge musical concerts all over the State of North Carolina. And, in all cases, she never expected, nor would she accept, any compensation for her efforts. When she transitioned from her home to an assisted living facility in 2016, she continued offering her musical talents, playing a piano concert every Wednesday night for the other residents. She continued this practice up until several weeks before her death.

Rachel’s faith compelled her to be a servant in every facet of her life. She was a giver, never a taker. She was loving toward everyone, never a hater. She was a problem solver, never a problem maker. She was inclusive, never exclusive. Her hobbies included anything that lifted other people. She didn’t have a selfish bone in her body. She demanded a strong work ethic from her children, but she was also playful and patient as a mom and grandmother. When it was time to work, you work. When it’s time to play, you play. She modeled for everyone what Jesus asked of all his disciples, and she was simply the gold standard as a wife, mother, and colleague.

Rachel was preceded in death by her husband Lee after 61 years of marriage, her father Walter, her mother Elizabeth, daughter Nancy, her brother Walter Jr., and her sister Ella Mae.

She is survived by her children Richard (Millie), Earl (Laura), and Eddie (Roxanne), and her grandchildren, Lee (Sarah), Greg, Matthew (Kate), Leslie Spencer Haughey (Ben), Page (Stockton), Adam, Rob (Sarah), John (Carrie), Preston (Savannah), Andrew (Olivia), Mary-Claire (Terry), and Rachel (Hannah). She is also survived by seventeen great grandkids.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life service at Covenant ARP Church, 120 N. Greenbrier Road, Statesville, NC 28625 on Friday, December 20, at 1 p.m. Family visitation will precede the service at 12 noon on the same day. The service will be followed by a private burial at which time Rachel will be interred at Iredell Memorial Gardens alongside her husband, daughter, mom and dad. Memorial gifts in Rachel’s honor can be given to Covenant ARP Church.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.