It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rachel Lauren Gatewood-Griffin, age 22, of Shelbyville, TN, on September 29, 2024. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home, with Pastor Joel Capizzi, Pastor Lon Ostrzycki, and Pastor Phillip Eady officiating. Burial will follow at Higgins Cedar Hills Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be from 5 PM to 8 PM on Friday, October 4, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home.
Rachel was born on April 28, 2002, in Huntsville, AL. She graduated from Lincoln County High School in 2020 and continued her education at Motlow State Community College, the University of North Alabama, and Calhoun Community College. In April 2024, she proudly earned her LPN degree from TCAT Pulaski and began her career as an emergency room nurse at Huntsville Hospital, where she was deeply committed to her patients and her calling.
A lifelong member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Rachel cherished her faith and served the Lord throughout her life. Rachel was loving and caring and would do anything for those she loved. On June 21, 2024, she married the love of her life, Gregory Griffin, and together they became members of Crossway Church in Lynchburg, TN.
Rachel had a zest for life, enjoying outdoor adventures like riding 4-wheelers, hiking, and hunting with Gregory, as well as working together to clear trails on their land. Her vibrant spirit and passion for living life to the fullest will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her husband, Gregory Griffin; her parents, Terry and Jackie Gatewood; her brother, Graham Gatewood; her maternal grandmother, Judy Burton; and her in-laws, Bobby and Krista Griffin, as well as maternal-in-law grandparents, Steve and Darlene Barnes. Rachel’s family also includes her beloved fur babies, Fluffy, Grug, and Nola, and her childhood dogs, Chico, Woo, and Scruffy, along with numerous extended family members, dear friends, and cherished coworkers. Rachel was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Jack Burton; paternal grandparents, Clem and Beverly Gatewood; maternal-in-law grandmother, Tina Barnes; and paternal-in-law grandparents, Billy Paul Bates and Peggy Bates.
Memorials may be made to the Fayetteville Lincoln County Animal Control, 1718 Pulaski Hwy., Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Rachel Lauren Gatewood-Griffin.
I’m so sorry I won’t make the visitation or the funeral but I’m praying for you. Jon and I love you very much!
Thinking of you Judy and all family! Love and prayers to all!
All of us at TCAT Pulaski are very saddened to learn of Rachel’s untimely passing. She was an excellent Nursing student. She was ambitious, intelligent and always wore a smile. We want to express our sympathy to her husband, and family in this difficult time. May God be with you in the tragedy. Melissa Banks, TCAT Pulaski.
I met Rachel and her family soon after we moved here. Rachel quickly became my daughter’s dearest friend and her mother mine along with sweet Ms Judy her grandmother. Rachel always had that contagious smile and sweet demeanor. She simply loved us just as much as we loved her. I’ll miss her forever and will cherish the sweet memories I have!! She was a shining example of Gods love!! Go with God my sweet girl!! We will surely miss you!!
My family and I are deeply grieved for our extended family the Griffin’s. We had the honor of attending God’s house at Crossway with Rachel and Gregory. We met them through services and have this to share.. Rachel and Gregory are definitely a shining light in our minds. I don’t think there was ever a Sunday that we didn’t see Rachel smiling and full of the Lord’s love and life. We could see how Rachel adored her husband Gregory, she let the Lord pick her a fine fellow. If she wasn’t snuggled up to him, wrapped in an arm of her gentle husband, she was engaging with nearly everyone around. It’s with a heavy heart as we offer our condolences to her family and her husband. We know, she is with the King of peace and love. We are so sorry for your loss Gregory and family, your wonderful Rachel will be missed. May the Lord Jesus keep you and continue to bless you all.
-The Madrids, Crossway Church of Lynchburg
I was a high school classmate of Jackie’s. We both had the same good friend named Heather. She spoke about when Jackie and Terry were trying to conceive. Had a very hard time. Was very excited when finally did. Not long after she conceived again. She was pregnant with Rachel at the viewing of our friend who went home to be with Jesus sooner than we would’ve liked. Although I didn’t keep in touch with Jackie. Never met Rachel or Graham I’m heartbroken for them.
Rachel was such a sweet, caring person. She started working with us at Huntsville Hospital during COVID while in nursing school. She called me excited when she got the job in the ED. She had a big heart! I can’t believe she is gone. Praying for peace and understanding.
So sorry to hear of Rachel’s passing. Praying for all the family. 🙏🏻🙏🏻😪
Your father always spoke very highly of you and is very proud you! You are missed!
I met Rachel and her brother, Graham, at Terry and Jackie’s house. All 5 of us talking. It was a very nice memory. My heart goes out to all of them.
We have loved getting to know Rachel and Greg over the last two years at Crossway Church. In our hearts they are just like our kids. Rachel’s sweet spirit will be missed in this world. Our prayers are with Greg and both families. Prayers for comfort and peace.
My deepest condolences 💐 may her gentle soul rest soul find rest.praying for her husband and family.
I taught Rachel in sixth grade. She was a beautiful girl both inside and out. She truly had the sweetest spirit, and it was an honor to have her in my class. Praying for her husband and her family.
Rachel was always so beautiful and not only did she have a physical beauty, she had a beautiful heart! I had the honor and privilege of having Rachel in my Sunday School Class (5th & 6th grade girls). She always had a beautiful smile, a loving heart, and joy that was indescribable! She loved Jesus and she loved learning more about Him. When she promoted up to the Youth Department she, and a few other girls, when their class was over they would hurry back to my class and she would always give me a big hug, tell me she wished she could be back in my class, and would always tell me “I love you Ms Nancy”! I will always cherish the sweet precious memories of my beautiful Rachel! As God wraps His loving arms around Rachel’s precious husband and family, I pray for their comfort and peace now and in the days to come until they’re reunited with her in Heaven.
Rachel was a beloved human, truly. We were in Girl Scouts together, and she never failed to make me laugh. We had Psychology Dual Enrollment at Motlow together, and always made Subway runs. She will be deeply and truly missed, along with always remembered.
So sorry to hear about the passing of your beautiful wife. Our hearts are broken for you. We will keep you, your family, and Rachel’s family in our prayers for God’s love and peace in the coming days…..Frame family
Sending our love and prayers to you all. Rachel was such a sweetheart and always had a hug for us when we saw her! I will cherish the memories we have of her and Kenzie when they were in high school. She definitely had a beautiful smile that lit up the room! 🩷
As one of her TCAT nursing instructors, I can honestly say that Rachel was perfectly suited to be a nurse. She was absolutely precious, and worked so hard to accomplish her goals. You could tell she was a caring, compassionate person, and just beautiful inside and out. My prayers go out to all those who loved her.