Rachel Grace Colson Gilmer

Rachel Grace Colson Gilmer joyfully entered heavenly rest on July 23, 2016, thus ending many years of unrelenting pain and increasing disability. Disability was difficult for her because Rachel was a doer; she loved physical activity of all kinds. As an adult she logged literally thousands of miles walking and biking the streets of her neighborhood, she ran multiple times in the Turkey Trot, and she spent many hours keeping the yard at the Gilmer residence immaculate. Growing up she played softball, volleyball, table tennis, and badminton. In college she played varsity basketball (Baylor). She was devoted to her husband Robert, whom she met in 1962 at the Midvale Baptist Church (Madison, WI) while working on a Master’s degree in physical education at the University of Wisconsin. She and Robert married in August of 1963, and five days later they moved to Tallahassee. She taught physical education at Quincy High. In 1969, the Gilmers moved into a new home in San Luis Ridge, and they started a family. Rachel became mother and homemaker.

Rachel began her personal relationship with Jesus Christ when she accepted Him as her Savior at an early age. He was her Lord, and she was dedicated to His service. She worked in the children’s ministry at First Baptist Church of Tallahassee for some forty years, in the church’s ministry to internationals (ESL) almost that long, and she was a longtime member of the International Circle of WMU at First Baptist. Rachel was an outgoing, positive person with a ready smile. She loved people, and she related very well to children, both as a teacher and a personal friend. She was a good cook, and she maintained an orderly, organized household. She loved needlework, reading, travel, and crafts. She will be remembered for her courage, determination, grit, and she will be greatly missed by those who knew her well.

Rachel was predeceased by her parents, Howard P. and Mary Wilder Colson. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert; her sons David (Brooke; Killen, AL) and Steve (Karen; Winter Park, FL.); her sister Rosemary (Tallahassee); her brother William (Barbara; Ft. Worth, TX), and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Tallahassee at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 5, 2016. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, or to Samaritan’s Purse.