Rachel Gertrude Bumgarner passed away at Brookdale Assisted Living Center in Lenoir on September 26, 2022. She was born in Caldwell County to the late Ralph and Dana Hart Roberts. She was a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church in Granite Falls where she enjoyed leading the choir during her younger years.
She graduated from Granite Falls High School and Lenoir Rhyne College, and retired from the Caldwell County School system. She was a teacher, librarian, and media coordinator. She also worked part-time teaching piano students.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Bumgarner, her daughter, Barbara Bumgarner, and a brother, Walter Lee Roberts.
She is survived by a brother, Boyce Roberts and wife Jean, sister-in-law, Frances Raney and her family, nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. Thanks to all her friends at Brookdale who showed her many acts of love and wonderful care over the years.
There will be a private graveside service for the family on September 27, 2022 at 2 PM with the Rev. Leo Fair officiating at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Granite Falls. Memorials may be made to Amorem Hospice in Lenoir or to First United Methodist Church at Lakeside Avenue in Granite Falls, NC, 28630.
Trude, as our family called her was dear to our family. She was especially close to our sister Libby when they grew up together. I always loved her dry sense of humor. When my girls were little, she used to send them little notes and stickers in the mail. Prayers for Boyce, Jean, Francis and all the family.
My dear cousin Rachel Gertrude, I will miss you. I have loving memories of you in our youth and through the years. We have many cousins that will miss you too. Prayers for your family.
Mary Ann Watson Bradshaw
Rachel and I had been friends since our days at Granite Falls Elementary School. We shared time together in Girl Scouts, the Granite Falls High School Band, the Lenoir Rhyne College Band and A Cappella Choir. I sang for her wedding on August 12, 1967 and her daughter Barbara was born on my wedding day May 16, 1970. We stayed in contact through the years and I visited her at Brookdale as often as I could. It was always good to be together and share memories of our days together. She was the longest held friendship I had in my life. I will miss her but I rejoice that her suffering has ended and she is reunited with her beloved husband, daughter, brother and parents. GOD bless her memory.