Mrs. Rachel Rebecca McHaney

On November 6, 1933, Joe Roy and Ruby Mae Trice welcomed their second of what would soon become 15 children to the world – she was a beautiful baby girl they named Rachael Rebecca. As a young girl, Rebecca loved to sing and dance around the house to make her family smile…or at least most of the family. Poppa Joe would often chastise her but that didn’t stop Rebecca. She just laughed and said that she was enjoying laughing and having fun… and the fun never stopped. Cute as she was, little Rebecca was a real tomboy. She loved to roughhouse with her siblings and cousins quickly earning her the nickname “Duke” to match her boyish behavior. As she grew, she loved telling stories of her childhood shenanigans and how they kept Momma Ruby on her toes chasing the kids around the farm. In her early teenage years Rebecca and her older sister Mozell assumed the role of Big Sister and Second Mother to their younger siblings. Rebecca became a member of the Oak Grove Church of Christ at a young age. She loved the Lord and enjoyed praising him in song often traveling with her siblings to different Congregations of the Churches of Christ to sing gospel music. She remained an active, faithful member at Oak Grove until her health failed. Rebecca attended and graduated from Chester County Training School in Henderson, Tenn. She was later employed as a Cook at the high school and later worked at the Chester County Manufacturing Company in Henderson, Tenn., as a seamstress where she stayed a number of years until her retirement. Soon after her high school graduation, Rebecca fell in love and married John Henry (Jack) McHaney on November 10, 1957. Rebecca and Jack had a short courtship following Jack’s return from the Army. Anyone who knew Jack John knew how much he loved to talk about courtin’. What you may not know, is Jack’s best courtin’ story was his own. He took great pride in sharing how his courtship with Rebecca began with him stealing her away from some unlucky guy. Together, Rebecca and Jack enjoyed 57 joyous years of marriage that produced three beautiful children – Dennis, Carolyn and Darron. As faithful believers in the word of God, Jack and Rebecca instilled in their kids faith and love of the Lord and a strong sense of respect for their fellow man. Their children grew to continue to honor their parents and the rich values and beliefs they received. To know Rebecca, was to love her. She had spunk! Rebecca was a fun-loving, feisty spirit who always had something witty and unexpected to say that would make those around her fall out in laughter. Nothing made Rebecca happier than spoiling baby Darron, special mother/daughter talks with Carolyn, either in person or on the phone, and sharing special time with Dennis and gardening. Things didn’t change when her kids had kids of their own and Rebecca’s home was quickly filled with giggling little granddaughters and one grandson who was often left to defend himself. Coupled with her fun-loving personality and genuine love of life, Rebecca was also a very diligent worker and generous and hospitable to a fault. Few things brought her more joy than entertaining a house full of family and friends that she often spoiled with little treats and gifts made especially for them. In her free time, Rebecca loved to tend to her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. She was also a loving caregiver and nurturer to others. Rebecca was always willing to come to the aid of family members that were sick and in need and she never complained about having to leave her family to do so. Rebecca was a wonderful cook. Her specialty dishes included fried chicken, potato salad, chicken and dressing and red velvet cake. On holidays and special occasions her family couldn’t wait to get to her house to share in all these wonderful dishes because they knew Rebecca was saving them a plate. Rebecca is preceded in death by her husband, John Henry McHaney, her parents, Joe and Ruby Trice and three sisters, Mozell Bowers, Betty Ross and Patricia Blakney. She leaves to cherish her memory 3 children, Dennis McHaney (Dorothy), Carolyn Waller (Joel) and Darron McHaney (Rolanda), 6 grandchildren (Kendra Winbush (M.C.), Lauren, Gabrielle, Johnathan, Alexis and Danielle), 1 great grandbaby (Brooklyn), 11 brothers and sisters, Paul Trice (Mae), Darlene Jones, Troy Trice, Juanita Trice, Benjamin Trice (Crystal), G.H. Trice (Virginia), Wilma Harville (Al), Peggy Burton, Christine Trice, Brenda DePriest (Richard) and Janice Taylor (Mike), Warren Blakney, Sr., brother-in-law, Ella Mae Harbor, sister-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mrs. Rachel Rebecca McHaney

November 6, 1933 - February 16, 2016