6 minute read
Everyone’s Aunt Rachel
Rachel taking photos of Grandfather Mountain from her Dellinger family property in Crossnore
Rachel and late husband, Ken Deal Rachel in her iconic “Force of One” blue blazer
Some Personal Reflections
By Steve York
love Before going any further…I have to own up to the fact that the title of this little tribute to Rachel Deal was inspired by a comment from local author, former Avery Journal-Times and All About Women publisher and community leader, Nancy Morrison. As Morrison warmly recalled,
“She was everyone’s Aunt Rachel!” Few people knew Rachel any better than Nancy. After all, they shared local Sloop family cousins, were life-long friends and close co-conspirators in championing many worthy community causes; especially the funding and completion of the Avery Humane Society’s facilities on
New Vale Road behind Ingles in Newland.
And, when I say “co-conspirators,” it’s not like Morrison actually had a choice in the matter. All she had to do was ask, “How can I help?” and Rachel put her to work. Then there was another possible title that came from Rachel’s niece and Crossnore native, Margaret “Maggie” Palmer
Lauterer, who described Rachel as “A
Force of One.” To Maggie, “Rachel seemed more like my big sister than aunt. She was the youngest of five siblings born to Theron and Lena Sloop Dellinger, so our ages were much closer.” From childhood on, Maggie and her
Aunt Rachel were close souls, and both shared the same love for singing. They also shared the same love of animals, a love that led to their (and Morrison’s) rescuing and sheltering of dozens of stray dogs and cats at their homes. This was well before there was a county animal shelter. Not surprisingly, many have echoed
Maggie’s “Force of One” sentiments over the years, describing Rachel as “a force of nature.” Without a doubt, this characterization was more than well-deserved. Beyond that—and more in terms of her intentions and accomplishments—Rachel was truly a force for Good.
Before I forget…there was also a third possible title for this story, “You Simply Can’t Say NO to Rachel.” Those very words marked comments by Rachel’s dear friend and Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Board of Directors member, Catherine Morton, during her tribute at Rachel’s memorial services. And, if you ask around Avery County, you’re likely to hear those same words again and again from almost anyone who knew her.
By all accounts, the word “No” was rarely acceptable to Rachel when it came to recruiting you for one of her pet projects, seeking a charitable donation or selling goodies at one of her famous fundraising bake sales. Before you could even consider a reason to turn her down, you were already on board. She could charm you, coax you or simply give you that look. And, if you got that look…you’d better pony-up, or carry the weight of the world around on your conscience.
Nancy Morrison recalled one bake sale when a close friend and strong supporter handed Rachel a whopping $35 for a mere three homemade cookies and two brownies. When Rachel gave her that look, the friend immediately ran out to her car to grab another $10. That’s $45 for a small handful of cookies and brownies. $45!!! The Girl Scouts cookie drive could have taken a lesson from Rachel!
For most folks, the basic rule for gracefully aging into one’s senior years is that one is allowed to gradually slow down and cut back on former commitments and responsibilities. Apparently, Rachel had never heard of that rule. And, even if she had, she would have defied it as surely and as confidently as she defied most obstacles that stood in her way.
Yes…Rachel could be tough and unyielding. She was also fiercely independent and determined to live life in her own way and on her own terms, including her insistence on driving herself around in her own car despite her age and failing health.
But she was even more loving and compassionate than she was tough. And, though she never had children of her own, she managed to embrace her entire community as family. You always knew that Rachel was coming from a place of exuberance for life and a commitment to, as her niece, Maggie, put it, “do God’s work.” And, if she came to know you well enough to become your Aunt Rachel, well…it’s likely she first adopted you in spirit and then recruited you as part of Rachel’s Unstoppable Army of Volunteers.
There have been many other stories written about Rachel’s childhood, family, marriage, professional and public service life through the years. There have been many wonderful tributes offered for her countless good works. And it would be naïve to think that this writer could even approach their eloquence. Her record of
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charitable deeds and community contributions almost staggers the imagination. Her number of awards and letters of recognition could easily fill up an entire wall. Her voice and her influence reached from Avery County officials to the state Capitol in Raleigh to the halls of the US Congress and even the White House.
My encounters with Rachel were few, though deeply meaningful. To me, she seemed like someone I’d always known and with whom there must be some connection yet to be discovered. So, you can imagine how completely amazed I was to recently learn that her niece, Maggie, had once been a dear friend from my late 1960s days in Sparta, NC. I helped run a small radio station there at the time and Maggie lived with her family a short walk from both the radio station and my apartment. I was a constant “fixture” at their home, and they were of immeasurable inspiration in my life. Providence has a way of coming full circle…especially when Rachel is involved.
Everyone’s Aunt Rachel of Crossnore, North Carolina, moved on from this earthly realm shortly after midnight on June 14, 2022. She was 92. Though, to me and many others, her energy and productivity would suggest just the reverse age of 29. Somehow, her spirit seems as alive as ever. Certainly her impact on the lives and well-being of both people and animals across Avery County and beyond is still very much alive and at work. No doubt she was recruited by a higher “Force of One” to help run things up there!
Rachel apparently had a stroke and lost control of her car while returning from her favorite Sunday pilgrimage to embrace the awe-inspiring view of her long-beloved Grandfather Mountain. She considered Grandfather Mountain the most wondrous mountain peak in all of Avery County and would often venture out alone and in silence to, as she would say, “commune with the Grandfather.” A couple days later she was to commune again—in a special sacred silence—with another Father atop the most wondrous mountain peak to which any human spirit may ever ascend.
Writer Steve York was introduced to Rachel Deal in the 1960s, and in 2013 authored his first article about Rachel, “The Real Deal,” in CML Magazine.
t p o r p s u s d e e c o p r l l A r e n d l h i c a l c o l
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