Rachael Colleen Allred

Rachel was born on June 27, 1924, in Siler City, NC, the daughter of Charlie and Ollie Allred. Rachel worked with the Internal Revenue Service until her retirement. She served as President of the local chapter of NAIRE (National Association of Internal Revenue Employees) and President of the local chapter of NTEU (National Treasury Employees Union), where she was recognized as a regional and national leader. Rachel was highly regarded by her federal employee peers for the role she played in the Bailey v. State of North Carolina case which involved the taxation of all public employee pensions. In retirement, Rachel remained active in political and current issues through her membership with NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees).

Rachel was an active member of Hinshaw United Methodist Church and held a variety of leadership positions. She was a member of United Methodist Women, where she was a member of Circle #3, and participated in bazaars, bake sales, and the annual Brunswick stew. An outing with her friends in the Methodist Adult Fellowship was a special treat. A music lover, she sang in the Chancel Choir and enjoyed the Worship Band. Two of her favorite hymns were “Nearer, My God, to Thee” and “Blest Be the Tie That Binds.” She was an enthusiastic supporter of Church Women United, an organization celebrating unity in diversity and working for a world of peace and justice. Rachel found time for fun, too. You could find her close to a television any time a Duke athletic event was being broadcast.

A measure of what one values may be evidenced by how they use their time and resources. Rachel was passionate about helping those less fortunate or in need. She reached out to persons unknown through her gifts to Appalachia Service Project, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) disaster relief and agencies such as Greensboro Urban Ministry. She provided loving care to those in her church family with cards to the sick and homebound, as well as gifts in honor and memory of church members and to those with special needs. She helped maintain God’s house through regular support of building funds and other church physical plant needs. Her final gift to her church family was a lovely redecorated Gathering Room. She was able to enjoy this special place several times before she passed. Rachel was the model of a Christian life well lived, and she will be deeply missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her brother Charlie in 2011.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, 11:00 a.m. at Gray’s Chapel United Methodist Cemetery with Rev. Donna Smith officiating. A reception will follow in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hinshaw United Methodist Church, 4501 High Point Road, Greensboro, NC 27407.