Maria Rachelle

Maria K Rachelle, beloved sister and friend, entered the gates of heaven on July 1, 2021, and was greeted by her mother, Sarah and father, William after a long and painful battle with cancer. Maria was a fighter and fought to stay here with her family until she could fight no more. That was the soldier in her. Maria loved her country and followed in her family ‘s honor to serve. She enlisted into the army right out of high school in 1979 and served from 1979 to 1982 at Fort Hood in Texas. Maria then joined the Air Force Reserve and served from 1984 to 1990 at the Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. Simultaneously she worked for the DOD as a keypunch master those same years.

Maria moved to Illinois in 1981 and worked for Hines VA until her retirement in 2017. She always dreamed of moving back home to Clovis to be closer to family, and that aspiration came true in May of 2019.  Maria loved playing softball and was an avid bowler until she no longer could. She loved her family more than her own life and if you were lucky enough to be her friend, she was loyal, dependable and often went without her own needs, if someone else was in need. Maria is survived by her best friend and sister, Teresa Rachelle of Clovis, her “baby” brother Ralph, and brother-in-law Lynn Tuell, of Bedford, Texas. Maria is survived by her lifelong friend and soulmate Joanne Zmuda, of Illinois, aunt Debbie Roy and Husband Roland of Las Vegas, NV and her uncle Bobby Runk and his wife Maureen, of Arizona.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents, Sarah and William Rachelle and her precious fur babies, Cuddles and Coco.

Although Maria is now gone, her memory will continue due to all whose lives she touched. She will be truly missed.

A memorial service in honor of Maria with military honors will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the Steed Todd Funeral Home Chapel at 10:00 AM.

In Lieu of flowers, Maria asked that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of all those whose families who are still fighting the battle.

We would also like to thank all those with PRMC hospice for their support for us and the love and gentle care they gave Maria. They were truly “angels.” A special thanks to PRMC Hospice nurse Jennifer, she will forever have a special place in our hearts.

Services in loving care by Steed Todd Funeral Home.