MOUNT VERNON – Mrs. Alice “Rachel” Rushing Archer, 88, of Laurelwood Drive, Mount Vernon, completed her earthly journey peacefully on Monday, March 21, at the Ohio Eastern Star Home and was taken into the loving arms of her Savior and many family members and friends who had gone on before.
Her survivors include her husband, Dr. Jack Archer of Mount Vernon; her two daughters, Jacki (John) Rutherford of Martinez, Ga., and Terri Tackett of Pataskala; five grandchildren, Christie (Scott) Myers, Jonathan Rutherford, Joshua (Hailey) Rutherford, Regan Tackett and Gillian Tackett; and four great-grandchildren, Hailey Myers, Avery Myers, Katelyn Rutherford and Jason Rutherford. Surviving siblings include Ruby Barber of Pompano Beach, Fla., Edna (Johnny) Westmoreland of Bethany, Okla., and Dorsey (Robbie) Rushing of Pearland, Texas. Rachel is also survived by two sisters-in-law and a multitude of nieces, nephews, their spouses, and great-nieces and -nephews.
Mrs. Archer was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. O. C. Rushing, Sr. and Myrtle Haynes Rushing, as well as her siblings, O. C. “Rush” Rushing, Jr., Norma Bybee, Justine Knight and Nancy Bearden, as well as in-laws Jay Bybee, Dr. John Knight, Dr. James Bearden, Everett Barber, David Baker, Linda Rushing, Verlin Archer and Robert (Laney) Archer.
Rachel Archer was born in Old Hickory, Tenn., into a large, loving Christian family in which she was the third of eight siblings. Her family was very musical and was featured in radio programs, ministering together in Christian music as her pastor father started churches and held revivals. They traveled extensively and moved frequently. Rachel admired her parents very much and learned quickly from her mother how to love people, adapt easily, be responsible, and most importantly, to love and serve God.
She met her husband, Jack, at Trevecca Nazarene College. She and Jack were married in December of 1952 and immediately moved to Parsons, W.V., to start a Nazarene church. A year later, their oldest daughter, Jacki, was born. They subsequently pastored in Elkins, W.V.; Huntington, W.V. (where younger daughter Terri was born); and Springfield, Ohio. The Archers were honored to pastor at Mount Vernon First Church of the Nazarene for 18 years. Rachel then served as “first lady” when her husband, Jack, became district superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene North Central Ohio District.
Hers was a life of great love, mentoring and service to her family, friends, church and district. Whatever God called her husband to do, she was always his love, his encourager, his support and his cheerful partner in service. The roles she filled are too numerous to list completely, but include pianist, organist, singer, Sunday School teacher, Caravan teacher, Missionary President, Women’s Ministry leader, Work and Witness trip volunteer to many countries, VBS Director and District Nazarene Missions International President.
Rachel did all of this while creating a beautiful atmosphere for her family at home, loving and supporting them, setting an example of a life wonderfully lived and modeling the love of Christ as an example for all to aspire to. In conversations, Jack, Jacki, Terri and others have noted that she is the most genuinely good person they have ever known. Both in public and private, she was always an encourager, never negative, and a truly happy spirit who opened her heart to everyone. She was so close to her parents, siblings and extended family that even amid her very busy life, she made time to stay in close touch, speaking of them with great love and appreciation up until her death. Every conversation with her family included “I love you.”
Rachel found the time to pursue her college degree, beginning at Trevecca Nazarene College in the 1950s and ending with graduation from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in the 1970s with a degree in education and a 4.0 GPA. She went on to teach at East Elementary School in Mount Vernon for several years and then supervised student teachers in the Education Department at MVNU.
Her family and the thousands of people whose lives she touched will miss her greatly but are thankful that she is whole, healthy and happy in heaven. Her greatest desire was that all of us will eventually be together in Heaven and we look forward to that day.
The family wishes to expressly thank the staff of the Lily Neighborhood at The Ohio Eastern Star Home who so kindly and ably took care of Rachel for almost two years. And they also want to thank Capital City Hospice personnel for their wonderful added care and assistance for the past several weeks.
Her funeral service will be held at Mount Vernon First Church of the Nazarene on Monday, March 28, 2022, at 11 a.m. Friends are welcome to come beginning at 10 a.m. for a visitation time that morning. Other visitation hours will be at the church on Sunday, March 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Rev. William Bridges will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 18260 Coshocton Ave., Mount Vernon.
The Snyder Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for the family. To share a memory or leave a condolence online, please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
