Rachel Harris was born on September 24, 1927 in Toledo, OH to Christine McDuffy and Elias Harris. She has four sisters, Christine Harris, Elizabeth Harris, Coreen Harris and Pauline Smith, and five brothers, Claude Harris, Nathan Harris, Oliver Harris, Oscar Harris and Daniel Harris (all deceased). Rachel was 10 years old when her father moved back to his home state of Arkansas to the rural community of Carthage to raise his family on 60 acres of hardwood forest he purchased from the Fordyce Lumber Company. She helped her family clear their land with mules for farming. Rachel grew up as a farmer’s daughter in Arkansas and learned a lot about farming from her father including, milking cows, picking cotton, raising chickens and hogs, growing row crops and orchard trees.
Rachel received Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age. At the age of ten, she met her future husband, Wesley O’Haire, Jr. at a church gathering. On May 3, 1947, Rachel and Wesley O’Haire were married in her father’s home. Four of their six children where born in Arkansas, Joyce, James, Rudy and Katie. In 1952, Wesley moved the family to the Herlong ordinance depot in rural northern California to work for the Federal Government. Their last two children were born in California (David and Milton). In Herlong, Rachel attended the First Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor McBride and later the Emmanuel Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Eld. Roosevelt Dillon where she became the Church Mother. She was known to everyone that knew her regardless of their age as “Mother O’Haire”. Wesley and Rachel moved to Modesto California in 2005 and joined the Westside Neighborhood Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Dr. Carlton Wright. Mother O’Haire loved to participate in the many church functions and lead many to Christ through her personal witness. Although in latter years she was unable to attend church on a regular bases she continued her devotion in God’s word, she prayed for the church, her family, friends and the many people who had crossed her path. She was faithful to the end. Throughout her life she enjoyed crocheting with her best friend Eddie Lee, making pottery, sewing, quilting, tending to her flowers, board games, jigsaw puzzles, cooking and watching bull riding, boxing and mix martial arts fighting.
On August 21, 2016 at the age of 88 she went home to be with her Lord and Savior. She will be missed by a host of friends and family. Rachel was preceded in death by her husband Wesley. Rachel and Wesley have (6) Children: Joyce Jeanette (deceased), James O’Haire and his wife Elke; Rudy O’Haire and his wife Teresa; Katie Bowie and her husband James; David O’Haire; Milton O’Haire and his wife Rita. (8) Grandchildren: Cherise Sims; Katina Williams: Collette Helmka; Laquita Bowie; Nerita Bowie; Wesley O’Haire; Joshua O’Haire; Roderick Fowler. (15) Great grandchildren, Sherrell (deceased), Antrelle, Shalani, Shaila, JaRon, Jonte, RaSean, Timothy Jr, Ebone, Tyreese, Aiden, Jada, Zoe, Nakaya and Mari. (2) Great Great Grandchildren: Liam and Amia.
The Home going celebration for Rachel will be August 29th at 11:00 a.m. At Lakewood Memorial Park located at 900 Santa Fe Avenue, Hughson CA.
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