Rachel Spencer Hassell Stevens, formerly of Raeford, died in Raleigh at Mayview Convalescent Center on June 23. She was 93. She was born in Tokushima, Japan, on September 19, 1919, to the Rev. and Mrs. A.P. Hassell who served as Presbyterian missionaries. She grew up in Japan, attending Canadian Academy in Kobe, and later received a degree in piano and organ from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia, in 1940.
She taught public school music and later worked with Presbyterian Missions. She accepted the position of organist, choir director, and Director of Christian Education at Raeford Presbyterian Church in 1945. She was married to Archie Kerr Stevens, Jr. in 1947. He preceded her in death in 1973. Two brothers and four sisters also preceded her in death.
Over the years she continued to serve from time to time as organist and choir director at Raeford Presbyterian Church. She also served as the president of the Women of the Church, Missions chairman, Bible and Sunday School teacher, and in 1993 was ordained as the first woman to serve as elder for the church.
In 1996, the Session of the church established the Rachel H. Stevens Scholarship to honor the 51 years she devoted to the church and its ministry of music, and to two generations of children and young people.
For many years she continued her love of music by teaching piano lessons in her home, sharing with even more children not only her skills, but also her patient and caring spirit. In later years she was once again able to experience her love of travel, visiting Spain and Scotland, and eventually returning to her birthplace of Japan. In 2002, she moved to Quail Haven Village in Pinehurst where she made her home. During her time at Quail Haven, she enjoyed the ministry and music at Brownson Memorial.
She was a devoted and supportive mother and grandmother and an endless source of enthusiasm, joy, and inspiration to those who loved her. She is survived by her son Kerr T. Stevens and wife Joanne of Raleigh, granddaughter Morgan Fullbright of Raleigh and grandson Patrick Stevens a senior at NC State in Raleigh.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 30 at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines, at 2 p.m. Immediately following the memorial service, a visitation with family and friends will be held at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in her memory to the Rachel H. Stevens Scholarship, Raeford Presbyterian Church, 128 W. Edinborough Avenue, Raeford, NC 28376.
Services are entrusted to Crumpler Funeral Home of Raeford.