Rachel Caroline Lawrence, age 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Valley Hospice Care Center North in Steubenville, Ohio. Born May 27, 1937, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, she was the cherished daughter of the late Mark Hayes Sr. and Lottie M. Taylor Hayes.

Rachel met and married the love of her life, Joseph William Lawrence, and together they were blessed with thirteen children. A woman of deep faith, Rachel was a devoted Baptist and was baptized as a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church in Dinwiddie, Virginia, before relocating to Steubenville, Ohio. She pursued her education at Dinwiddie Training School and dedicated her life to both her family and her community. Alongside her role as a domestic engineer, she worked as a cook at LaBelle Nursing Home before retiring as a teacher's aide for the city of Steubenville.

Rachel found joy in the simple pleasures of life—listening to gospel music, spending time with family, solving crossword puzzles, and holding and rocking babies, which she loved dearly. Her generous spirit extended beyond her home as she founded "Operation Blessing," a program dedicated to helping families in need by donating clothing during times of disaster.

In addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph William Lawrence, and four children: Carl Hayes, Alonzo Lawrence (predeceased by his spouse, Leslie), Ananias Lawrence, and Joseph Lawrence. She was also predeceased by her sister, Evelyn Moss; seven brothers: William Hayes, Mark Hayes, Raymond Hayes, Joseph Hayes Sr., Floyd Hayes Sr., Bernard Hayes Sr., and James Hayes Sr.; and the spouses of her children James (Venus) Lawrence and Rachel (Keith) Burke.

Rachel leaves to cherish her memory nine loving children and their families: Aaron (Rasheeda) Hayes, Karen Hayes, William Lawrence, Mary (Carl) Brown, Benjamin Lawrence, James (the late Venus) Lawrence, Lewis (Kelly) Lawrence, Marlon Lawrence, and Rachel (the late Keith) Burke. She is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will forever honor her legacy of love, kindness, and faith.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at the Gregory-Martin Chapel, located at 255 S. 7th Street, Steubenville, Ohio. Minister Leseanne Smith will deliver the eulogy. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery in Steubenville. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gregory-Martin Funeral Home.