Rachel O'Neal Thomas

Rachel was born on July 12, 1922, in Wake County across from Bayleaf Baptist Church where her family were charter members in 1888. She and her identical twin sister Rebekah were the youngest of eight children. Rachel worked for the Army as a secretary during World War II and later attended nursing school but resigned to raise her family. She was a Claims representative for the Social Security Administration until her retirement with 30 years of service.

In 1955 she relocated with her family to the Chestnut Hills area of North Raleigh where, with her husband W.T., became charter members of Trinity Baptist Church. She was an unpaid volunteer as the first historian and part of the secretary staff for seven years until the church could be established. Her Saturday afternoons would be dedicated to typing the church bulletin and working with other charter members in the maintenance of the church in its early years. Rachel was also a member of the Trinity choir for 45 years, and spent the rest of her life as a dedicated member of her beloved church and in service to her God that she loved so dearly.

She researched, wrote and published a book on the O’Neal lineage from Ireland/Scotland to its migration and establishment in North Carolina at Ocracoke Island in 1590. She also documented that her ancestor left Ocracoke in the early 1880’s and established his life at the Falls of the Neuse area of Wake County, tracing his heirs from 1880 to the current period. Rachel was an outstanding artist, known for her art and paintings which were sought after by her family and friends, and she continued her painting which included seasonal holiday paintings for Abbotswood up until her death.

She was married to Walter T. Thomas Jr. for 57 years until his passing in June of 2004. She is survived by her sons, Barry Thomas of Oriental, wife Karen and Robert Thomas of Zebulon, wife Jo Ann; her grandsons Ryan Thomas of Wilmington, wife Kelley, Wesley Thomas of Ft Myers, FL, wife Avery and Nate Thomas of Louisburg, NC, wife Sarah; great grandchildren, Parker, Annie Kate, Haddon, Charley, Abigail and Reese Thomas, nephews Wallace O’Neal, Doug Peacock, Gary Peacock, and Doug O’Neal; and Nieces Dianne Masiclat, Michelle Gandy and Janet O’Neal.

Memorial Service will be at conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 26 at Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh by Dr. Jeff Roberts with a reception one hour prior. Burial service will take place at 11 a.m. on December 30 at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens in Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Trinity Baptist Church.