Rachel Hartgrove Shackelford

Rachel Hartgrove Shackelford, 96, peacefully passed away June 26, 2024. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM, on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at First Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC. The family will receive friends following the service in the Atrium

Rachel was born December 31,1927 in King, NC to the late Willie Ray and Lilly Covington Hartgrove. After high school she graduated from Women’s College of Greensboro (UNC-G) with a BS in Home Economics with a concentration in Clothing and Textiles. After college she moved to Kinston, NC as a NC Home Extension Agent for Lenoir County. She supported and lead home extension clubs and served the community by sharing her skills and expertise teaching all aspects of home management. While consulting with a local home builder she briefly met her future husband, Arthur Daniel Shackelford, Sr. of Kinston, NC. Later, they official met at a community choir rehearsal and the alto began dating the baritone soon thereafter. They were married September 15, 1951 and Rachel retired to manage her own home and raise a family. In 1960, the family relocated to Greensboro, NC and joined First Baptist Church. Rachel became an alto in the choir, taught adult Sunday school and was an active WMU member and leader. She served on PTA boards, sewed couture quality clothes and enjoyed her Garden Club while raising five children.

Rachel was beloved by her family, friends and neighbors. She showered those she loved with delicious meals, unconditional support and a listening ear. Gatherings with Rachel in her kitchen, dining room and on the porch nourished many a body and soul.

Rachel is survived by her children and their spouses, Lisa and Frank Burney of Raleigh, Manina and Martin Reeves of Knoxville, TN, Arthur D Shackelford, Jr. of Durham and John and Suzi Shackelford of Greensboro; the grandchildren and their spouses, Megan and Dr. Chris Harris, Jillian and Matthew Angel, Lauren and Robert Shelton, Chris Burney and Carly Warner, Ian Burney, Michael Reeves, Grady Reeves, Thomas Shackelford and Alison Shackelford; great grandchildren William and Avery Harris, Madeline and Nathan Angel, Liam and Hayes Shelton and Lucille Burney. Rachel is preceded in death by her husband Arthur; daughter Caryn; sister Opal and brothers Ralph, Joseph, Ray, Clyde, William, Edgar, Dean, Dennis and James and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Music Ministry or WMU, 1000 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC 27401. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com. Hanes Lineberry N.Elm Chapel is assisting the Shackelford Family.