Rachel Johnson Gwin, child of God and saved by grace, victoriously entered into eternal life with Jesus Christ and her loved ones who preceded her on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. Rachel was born on April 9, 1946 in Louisville, Mississippi to William Preston “Bo” Johnson and Annie Thelma Weathersby. She is survived by her son John Paul Gwin, daughter-in-law Missy Pilecki Gwin, and grandson John Cole Gwin, all of Piperton, Tennessee; one brother “Bo” Johnson, Jr., (wife Linda) and one niece Carrie Beth Aultman (husband Johnny) and great nephews Jack and Oliver Aultman; numerous relatives of the Johnson, Weathersby and Gwin clans; and countless friends, old and new, whom she loved and cherished.
Reared in Louisville, Mississippi, Rachel attended Mississippi State University, then moved to the Memphis, Tennessee area where she began her family. While living in Germantown she was a member of Germantown Presbyterian Church, where she served in many positions with Presbyterian Women both locally and within the Memphis Presbytery. Rachel was also a member of Pegasus, an officer and on the Board of Directors of MIFA, Memphis Family Shelter and Subsidium. She worked in funeral and cemetery services for over 26 years beginning in 1993 when she moved to Jackson, Mississippi and continuing with Memphis Funeral Homes & Cemeteries until she retired and moved back to her hometown of Louisville in 2019.
Rachel was a current member of First Baptist Church in Louisville where she was involved in the Women’s Ministry Committee, sang in the choir, chaired the Flower Committee and serviced as Vice President of the Joy club. She also enjoyed being a part of the Belle Arts Club, served as Vice President of the Louisville Garden Club and was recently inducted into the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Rachel enjoyed reading, concerts, charity work, visiting with friends and family, and her patio garden where she watched the sunrise and counted her blessings. She truly loved the Lord Her God with all her heart, soul and mind and no doubt heard the words “well done my good and faithful servant” when she entered the pearly gates. Everyone who met her loved her, and her sweet spirit will be greatly missed here on earth. We rejoice that she is truly home and at peace watching the future of her family unfold with Jesus glasses on! A quote from the notes in the back of Rachel’s bible reads, “I will welcome you with open arms of love as you cross your bar to be with Jesus in eternity. Remember, being with Jesus is better than your birthday … imagine! Live in anticipation of the endless tomorrow.”
A visitation for Rachel will be held at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue on Tuesday, January 3rd from four o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 4 at Germantown Presbyterian Church beginning at ten o’clock in the morning with a reception to follow in Warren Hall. Rachel will be laid to rest at a graveside service at the Louisville Cemetery located at the corner of Park Street and Spring Avenue in Louisville on Thursday, January 5 at eleven o’clock in the morning with a reception to follow at First Baptist Church in Louisville, Mississippi.
Memorials may be given to the Louisville First Baptist Church Flower Ministry.
