Rachel Bradford Horsley, 92, of Fayetteville passed away on November 13, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones at home. She was born August 12, 1933, in Lincoln County, Tennessee to the late Robert Anderson and Elsie Mae Sandlin Bradford. Services are to be held at 2 PM at Higgins Funeral Home on Monday November 17th, 2025, with burial at Lebanon Cemetery following, with Reverend Seth Philbrick officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 12 PM until time of the service at 2 PM. She was a member of the Fayetteville ARP church. She graduated from Central High School in 1951 and was employed for several years at Genesco. She had a lifelong love of butterflies, flowers, cooking, and creating meaningful memories with her family.
She is survived by her son, Stanley (Pauline) Horsley of Lexington, Kentucky, and grandson, Neil Bradford Horsley, M.D. of Johnson City, Tennessee. Left to cherish her memory are several nieces, nephews, and devoted cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Roy Drennan Horsley, two sisters: Josephine Knox & Nancy Bevels, as well as four brothers: Robert Leslie Bradford, James Bradford, Russell Bradford, and Paul Bradford.
Mrs. Horsley’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the many staff and team members of Gentiva Hospice, whose kindness and compassion were critical as Mrs. Horsley went to her eternal rest.
In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Horsley has requested that donations be made to either the Fayetteville ARP Church 1720 Huntsville Highway, Fayetteville, TN 37334, or Lebanon Cemetery Association, 27 Good Lane, Taft, TN 38488.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Rachel Bradford Horsley.
8 Comments To "Rachel Bradford Horsley"
#1 Comment By CAPTAIN SCOTT SHELTON On November 13, 2025 @ 3:44 pm
Stanley,
To tell you you had a wonderful mother would not be anything you didn’t know.
I loved seeing her setting on the porch as I ran by as I grew up. Decades later it was me and my son Nevada running by and waving. Finally 50 years later me and Gwen would stop as we walked by to see if she needed anything or just to say hello.
She was always upbeat and proud to mention you.
She will be missed.
Please accept our sincere sympathies and best wishes.
We loved both your mother and father.
We are so proud to have had the privilege of knowing both.
Please remember all the good memories.
Prayers for you and the family.
#2 Comment By Ginger Pearson On November 13, 2025 @ 3:49 pm
Stanley: I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I would always ask her about you and your family when I would see her. She was always so kind. I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
#3 Comment By Sharon Guntherberg On November 13, 2025 @ 8:07 pm
Ms. Rachel was such a sweet customer of my Greenhouse in Elora. Even after Drennan’s passing I would take ferns for her porch & a few red geraniums to decorate her home. Such a sweet lady. I will always have sweet memories of her & her husband.
#4 Comment By Doris Quick On November 14, 2025 @ 12:26 am
Mrs. Horsley was such a precious, sweet lady. She and Mr. Horsley were two of my favorite people to see at our FMA office. We kept in touch for awhile after I retired, but it has been awhile since I have spoken to her. My sympathy goes out to you Stanley, Pauline and Neil. I look forward to seeing Mr. Horsley and Mrs. Rachel again one day.
#5 Comment By Bruce Askins On November 16, 2025 @ 11:16 am
She had such a kind heart and caring spirit to all those around her! Gods Speed!
#6 Comment By Kim Barnes On November 17, 2025 @ 7:35 am
My condolences to Rachel’s family and friends. She and Drennan were both so kind to me when I still lived in Fayetteville. They helped my very young family as we were setting up household way back in 1987. I have always held Rachel in such high regard. May God grant her loved ones comfort and peace.
#7 Comment By Mary Marion On November 17, 2025 @ 8:21 am
So sorry for your loss. Many hugs and prayers for you all.
#8 Comment By L. Susan Fife Stroup On November 17, 2025 @ 7:54 pm
Stanley,
Mrs. Horsley was such a good friend to my mother, Ruth Fife. When I visited, it was always a treat to sit next to her in Sunday School Class. Mom would always tell something funny that Mrs. Horsley could only tell in her wonderful drawl. She is one of the people at church I will never forget.