Rachel L. Wilson

Mrs. Rachel L. Wilson, age 98, of Nashville, Tennessee formerly of Murray, Kentucky, died on Sunday, December 23, 2018 at Guardian Hospice in Franklin, Tennessee.

Born and raised in Murray KY, Rachel Linn Wilson died peacefully Dec. 23rd after 98 years of what she called "a great life, full of love." Rachel was the last of three girls born to John Melas and Nina (Maddox) Linn of Murray; she is preceded in death by her husband, a son, and sisters Louise Terry and Francis "Sis" Bradley. She attended Murray State College, and during WWII married her high school sweetheart George R. Wilson, also of Murray. They remained happily married for 56 yrs. until George's death.
Rachel had two sons: Stephen Linn Wilson, who passed in 2013, and George Jr., living in Nashville, TN. She was extremely proud of her two grandchildren, Alana and Collin Wilson living in La Mesa, CA, with their mother Sandra. She deeply loved her nephew Edward Bradley, living in West Bath, ME, her nieces Rebecca (Terry) Barr in Mancelona, MI, and Shirley (Bradley) Hayes in Cape Coral, FL, her adopted niece Elizabeth Rothfuss, living in Pinecrest, FL, her daughter-in-law Cynthia Wilson and adopted great granddaughter Kailee, both living with George in Nashville. Scores of great nephews and nieces live across America and all will greatly miss her.
She began her "career" on the Rationing Board for Calloway County KY during WWII, and after marriage she worked in clerk then office management jobs in office equipment, insurance, and food brokerage. Finally, while moving to Louisville KY and raising two sons, she was promoted from office manager to Vice President/Sales for a critical aero-space component manufacturer, where she traveled the world meeting with engineers and executives from Boeing, British Airways, NASA, and General Electric among others.
After she "retired" at 70, Rachel and George traveled extensively throughout the Western US in one of their two RVs, never planning the next day. They toured Alaska, the Grand Canyon, every national park on their tattered maps, and visited with friends and family. After George died, Rachel moved to Nashville where she first experienced hot air ballooning and volunteering. She soon moved to La Mesa, CA for over 10 yrs., continued her volunteer work at the Corral Thrift Shop, loved on her grandchildren, went stunt flying in a bi-plane, and celebrated her 90th birthday by skydiving for the first time with local TV cameras rolling!
She returned to Nashville for her final years. There she created her "perfect little home", spent time with her friends, her son and his family, and completed nearly 200 jigsaw puzzles (her passion). Her friends and family traveled from across America to visit, which brought her great joy! Rachel loved people, listened to their concerns, celebrated their victories, and provided more love and support than others expected. They always came back for more; her well of love was never dry.
In the end, it took a massive stroke to end this strong woman's life, but she died peacefully two days later. She will be buried in pajamas matching those her life-long love was buried in nearly 20 years ago; she will rest in peace and glory next to him in the Murray City Cemetery.
A private family service will be held.
Online condolences can be left at, www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com