Obituary of Rachel B. Woodring

Mrs. Rachel Baird Woodring, age 77, of Zionville and Sunset Beach, North Carolina, went to her heavenly home Thursday afternoon, October 12, 2017. She died peacefully at her home in Zionville, surrounded by her family. Born December 9, 1939, in Watauga County, she was the daughter of the late Ray and Allie Johnson Baird. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, John William Baird and Clarence �Bud� Baird, her sisters-in-law, Ruby Woodring Idol and Pearl Woodring Watson, and her brothers-in-law Jimmy Hollars, Rabon Taylor, Odell Woodring, and Ronda Woodring. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Earl Woodring; three children, Glenda Washburn and husband Bob of Boone, Brenda Miller and husband Ricky of Zionville, and Steve Woodring and wife Piper of Boone; six grandchildren, Matthew Washburn and wife Brittnai of Huntersville, Sarah Eggers and husband Braxton of Boone, Callie Crump and husband Matt of Vilas, Samuel Washburn of Boone, Ethan Woodring of New York, and Rebekah Washburn of Boone; two great-grandchildren, Graham and Davis Eggers of Boone; her sister, Mildred Hayes and husband Bobby of Arnoldsville, Georgia; her sisters-in-law Thelma Taylor, Wilma Sutherland, and Lona Woodring; her brothers-in-law Nulan Watson and Bill Idol, and a number of nieces and nephews. Rachel was a long-time member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, where she served in many roles, including as a preschool Sunday School teacher for over thirty years, as well as WMU leader and member. She worked at Shadowline for many years before working in the History Department at Appalachian State University. She retired from Samaritan�s Purse after more than twenty years. Rachel spent much of her time and energy serving others and enjoyed using her talents to do so. She was a hard worker who dedicated herself wholeheartedly to what the Lord asked of her and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. Her children and grandchildren loved going to �Grandmother�s� for Sunday dinner. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, crafting, and decorating her home. She had a large flower and vegetable garden and often shared her bountiful harvest with others. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at Austin and Barnes Funeral Home. Funeral services for Rachel Baird Woodring will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 15, 2017, at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Boone. Graveside services and burial will immediately follow the service at the Oak Grove Cemetery. Rachel loved beautiful flowers, so flowers are appreciated. On a recent trip to Kenya, she also became passionate about providing new facilities for students at the Makuuni Primary School in Kitui South, Kenya. If you prefer, you may donate to this school by check made payable to Samaritan�s Purse and mailed to: Samaritan�s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC, 28607. (Please make a note on the check that it is in Memory of Rachel Woodring.) Online condolences may be shared with the Woodring family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Woodring family.