Rachel Mckay

Loving Wife, Mother and Friend
"Unique in this world"

Waynesville, Mary Rachel Queen McKay passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 9, 2018.

Rachel was a native of Haywood County, the daughter of the late Sam Love and Mary Moody Queen. She was a member and Valedictorian of the first graduating class at Tuscola High School in 1967 and later graduated from Duke University. She taught English at Tuscola and loved raising her children as well as the neighborhood children. She was an avid reader and read novels to a generation of children at Hazelwood School and Waynesville Junior High. She read the bible to seniors at Queens Retirement Center.

Known for her "green thumb," she provided flowers for Grace Church in the Mountains, where she was a member for 47 years. Flowers and horses were often on her mind.

Rachel is survived by her husband of 45 years, Mackie McKay; a daughter, Heather McKay and husband, John R. Colvin III of Hillsborough; a son, David McKay, of Waynesville; a brother, Joe Sam Queen and wife Dr. Kate Queen of Waynesville; Sister-in-law, Jane Stamey of Waynesville; an aunt, Sara Q. Brown; and niece and nephew, Sara Glee Queen and Charlie Queen of Raleigh. Grace Ellen Queen of Seattle is a beloved cousin.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Grace Church in the Mountains with Reverend Joslyn Ogden Shaefer officiating. Rachel's ashes will be spread among the Easter lilies of the church memorial garden. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall of the church.

Memorials may be made to Grace Church in the Mountains, 394 N. Haywood Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The care of Rachel has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com

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