Graveside service for Rachel Murrell Steelman, age 77 of Fayetteville, will be conducted Saturday at 11 AM at Riverview Memorial Gardens with Rev. Don Russell officiating. Higgins Funeral Home will be in charge of services. Miss Steelman passed away Wednesday evening at Donalson Care Center.
She was a native of Lincoln County and the daughter of the late Naith Alexander and Josie Goosby Steelman. Miss Steelman was a former owner and operator of Rachel’s Restaurant, a cater and business owner. She was a member of the Baptist Church.
Survivors include two brothers Marvin Steelman and wife Sara, Jimmy Steelman, two sisters Brenda Barnes and Betty Johnson all of Fayetteville, nieces Deborah Freeman, Cindy and J B Battle, Jeanette Jackson, Judy Stinson, nephews James and Jamie White and John and Angela Steelman, 3 grand-nieces Kenesha Howard, Brittany White and Danielle Simmons, two grand-nephews Marshall and Peyton Steelman. Miss Steelman was preceded in death by sister Martha Roland, brother Billy Bert Steelman and nephew Danny Johnson.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the Kelly Pittenger Senior Center or the American Cancer Society.
There will be no visitation at the funeral home prior to services.
34 Comments To "Rachel Murrell Steelman"
#1 Comment By Christi Taylor Howell On March 14, 2013 @ 1:27 am
James, Cindy, and family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Ms. Rachel. She was such a wonderful lady. I have wonderful memories of Ms. Rachel as I am sure most of Lincoln County does. Praying for you all.
#2 Comment By Judy Stafford On March 14, 2013 @ 3:22 am
To the Family of Rachel, I am so sorry to hear about her passing.Rachel was a friend to many people in Lincoln Co.one of a kind..always had time to talk to you.
She will be missed.My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Judy Stafford
#3 Comment By Stephanie Sharp On March 14, 2013 @ 1:04 pm
I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers as I know you are going to be missing a wonderful lady in your lives.She was such a sweet and kind person and I will miss her too,
#4 Comment By Janice Moore Gregory On March 14, 2013 @ 3:59 pm
I just saw Ms. Rachel March 2 and talked to her for a few minutes. I always loved her and her cooking. She will be greatly missed by everyone. God bless the family, Janice and Brent Gregory
#5 Comment By Janice Moser On March 14, 2013 @ 5:57 pm
BB and family, I am sorry for your loss of your loved one. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Janice Moser
#6 Comment By Diane Dyer Buchanan On March 14, 2013 @ 6:52 pm
Dear Jimmy and Family,
We were so sorry to learn of Miss Rachel’s death. She was loved by all who came into contact with her.
I will always remember her wonderful smile and caring personality, along with her great work ethic. She will truly be missed by her family and many, many friends.
May God Bless and Comfort You.
#7 Comment By Linda McCauley Westbrooks On March 14, 2013 @ 9:33 pm
Miss Rachael was one of my favorite person as I was growing up. She always had a wonderful smile and hug for you. She made the best tea cakes. I loved going to her place as I was growing up and seeing her. She was truly a wonderful lady and I thought the world of her. She will be truly missed. I was so glad to see you at Christmas time. Good-bye Miss Rachel and may God be with your family as they go through this time.. Linda McCauley Westbrooks
#8 Comment By Linda Holland On March 14, 2013 @ 9:33 pm
Miss Rachel was a friend to all. If I ever saw her out and about, she would always smile and say, “hey, how are you”. She was a well-known person in Fayetteville/Lincoln County and was loved by everyone. She will be missed!
#9 Comment By sandra lancaster On March 14, 2013 @ 9:56 pm
miss rachel will be greatly missed by all of fayetteville and all surronding towns she was so well known in the restaurant and catering business and such a wonderful woman to all she would help anyone she could and loved everybody well miss rachel you can take over GOD’S kitchen and i hope one day to be eating your wonderful food again
#10 Comment By Lane and Delane Grissom On March 15, 2013 @ 1:26 am
To all of the family so sorry to hear about Rachel she will be greatly missed ,
#11 Comment By Diana McBay On March 15, 2013 @ 2:35 am
Dusty and family
John and family,
My prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Rachel worked hard and touched many lives in her years here on earth, may you find peace in knowing that she is now at rest in Heaven.
#12 Comment By Billy & Patsy Gray On March 15, 2013 @ 3:26 am
Rachel was a true friend and will be greatly missed.
Will miss eating her great pies.
To the family we express our deepest regrets.
#13 Comment By Angie Rhodes On March 15, 2013 @ 4:24 am
To all family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Miss Rachel was a great person and wonderful cook, I loved her as well as I loved fussing with her, she would always put me in my place but I loved every minute of it. You will all be in my prayers.
#14 Comment By vanessa moore buchanan On March 15, 2013 @ 5:31 am
to the family of rachel steelman sorry for ur loss we will be prayin for u all god bless you …
#15 Comment By Jerry/Sharon Eubanks On March 15, 2013 @ 11:47 am
Marvin, Brenda, Jimmy, Betty
So sorry to hear about Rachel. She was a special lady and will be missed by many people.
Sharon and I lived next to Marvin and Sara for years.
You are all special to us and you will be in our prayers for days to come.
Jerry/ Sharon Eubanks
#16 Comment By Judy Short On March 15, 2013 @ 12:18 pm
My deepest sympathy to you at this time of sorrow. Rachel is in God’s care now and what better care could we ever ask for her? Now I pray for your comfort in the days ahead. God bless you and keep you in His tender care and love for all eternity.
Rachel was a special person who used her special talents and fed many of us with her ability to “cook up some good grub” that we enjoyed.
She will be so missed.
#17 Comment By Ruthie Jeans On March 15, 2013 @ 1:45 pm
I don’t even know where to begin to say what a wonderful, loving person Rachel was. She is the last of her kind in the service business. I can remember calling at the last minute and she would say; “Just tell me what you need and I’ll have it there”, and she always did. She touched so many lives in Lincoln County and always had a smile on her face. You will be in my prayers.
#18 Comment By Freda Kinser Blair On March 15, 2013 @ 2:45 pm
Dear Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. So many memories of good times with Rachel. She was such a wonderful person. I know she will be greatly missed. Our family sends our deepest sympathy to you.
The Thomas Kinser Family
#19 Comment By Jane Wilson Henry On March 15, 2013 @ 2:58 pm
Hi-Brenda
I am so sorry about Rachel. I still remember coming to your house and watching her peel potatoes. It still
amazing me how fast she did that!
My hubby, Robert, and I ate at her restaurant many times whenever we came to Fayetteville.
Again, I am so sorry. Thinking of all with much sympathy.
#20 Comment By Rebecca May On March 15, 2013 @ 6:34 pm
BB – I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
#21 Comment By Leah Plunkett On March 15, 2013 @ 7:32 pm
Thinking of you!
#22 Comment By Joanne and Riley Talley On March 15, 2013 @ 10:20 pm
To the Steelman family. We will miss Rachel more than you know. She was such a sweet and loving lady. When my oldest daughter was small she loved steak. Rachel always held the small steaks back for her. When she would see us walk into the restaurant she would immediatly go to the freezer and get one out. She will always be remembered for her kindness to everyone she met.
#23 Comment By Myrna R. Robinson On March 16, 2013 @ 12:50 am
To Brenda and all the rest of the family,
Rachel was a really special person to every one who knew her and loved her. She will be greatly missed.
#24 Comment By Janice Moore May On March 16, 2013 @ 1:43 am
To Marvin and Sara and Betty , Brenda and Jimmy…..and all the rest of the family… I am deeply saddened by the loss of Rachel. She was a wonderful woman which, I think everyone in Fayetteville knew and respected… She will be missed by so many but especially by her family…My condolences go out to the ones she left behind…..Sincerely, Janice May
#25 Comment By Jacki Thompson-Pamplin On March 16, 2013 @ 2:34 am
Ms Rachel always shared her care and affection for everyone she came in contact with by her ability to always make you feel welcome and at home. As far back as I can remember, her smile and talent are a part of many good memories.
So sorry for your loss. God bless and comfort you all.
#26 Comment By Allen Dale On March 16, 2013 @ 2:54 am
Saddened to learn of Rachel,s passing. Thanks for the fond memories. May the Lord bless and comfort the family at this time. Sorry I cannot be at memorial service.
#27 Comment By Ruth McCauley On March 16, 2013 @ 3:32 am
Rachel was a friend to all that knew her, we will certainly miss her, My family ate at her restaurant over the many years she was in business and all of us loved her. She always spoiled my daughter Linda with her teacakes would have extra ones for her, they tasted just like the ones my mother made. My deepest sympathy to the family and my prayers and thoughts with each of you.
#28 Comment By Jerusha Counts On March 16, 2013 @ 2:38 pm
So very sorry for your loss. Ms Rachel was a wonderful lady and a joy to be around.
#29 Comment By Missy Smith On March 17, 2013 @ 1:52 pm
Cindy, James and family. We are so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May God bless you all.
#30 Comment By Sharon Blalack-McClendon On March 21, 2013 @ 2:41 am
Miss Rachel was truly one-of-a-kind. We met her the very first day that my parents, Ed and Mary Blalack, moved to Fayetteville in the early 60’s. Miss Rachel loved to cook and my family loved to eat. It was a perfect match.
One of my favorite memories was when we would bring fresh fish caught on our trip to Guntersville Lake to the restaurant. Miss Rachel would cook up an entire fish fry with french fries, hush puppies and coleslaw. It was fantastic! We ate at her restaurant every single Sunday for as long as I can remember.
Sending love to all her family. She will be dearly missed.
#31 Comment By Amy On March 21, 2013 @ 8:04 pm
Rachel was one of the first people I met in Fayetteville after Ronnie Osteen came to the Co-op over here. I ate her good cooking long before Ronnie and I were married . The Co-op directors had a party for us at her restaurant. I remember her sister referring to me as Mrs. Ronnie in 1980. It embarrassed her, but it tickled me to death! She was such a wonderful lady. May God bless you all as you go through this difficult time. Because He Lives, Amy S,. Osteen
#32 Comment By Deloris Raby Smith On March 23, 2013 @ 8:36 am
I am so sorry for your loss!She was a hard working lady!Brenda,you and I were in same class at Lynchburg.I talked with Marvin and Rachel,several times,as they catered to Calsonic in Shelbyville.Won’t forget the wonderful food.
May God bless each of you at this time and cling to the precious memories!
#33 Comment By Kathy Blalack-Dengler On March 26, 2013 @ 2:17 am
My childhood was filled with wonderful memories of Miss Rachel and happy family times at her restaurant. We all adored her. She was such a great lady – both hardworking and fun. She will be greatly missed, yet her memory will continue to bring us joy. I thank God He gave us our precious Miss Rachel to enrich our lives and sweeten our memories.
#34 Comment By Katie Wiseman Womack On March 27, 2013 @ 10:46 pm
To the family:
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Rachel. I have known her for years. I used to eat at Rachel’s Restaurant, and she was always friendly and smiling, no matter if you saw her there or outside somewhere.
May God put His loving arms around you and comfort you through this very difficult time.
Sincerely,
Katie Womack