Emma Ruth Rachal

Emma Ruth Rachal, born on Christmas Day 1938, in Beaumont, Texas, was the oldest child of George A. and Lena Adams Smith. Raised in Vidor, Texas, she graduated Vidor High School in 1957, where she was a good student and considered a talented singer by her peers.

While still in high school, Emma met Preston Rachal, the love of her life, and they married the following February. Married for over 60 years, at the time of his death, she and Preston raised 2 children, Greg and Lydia, teaching them to love family and love the Lord.

Once her youngest child started school, Emma did too. She attended Lamar University and in1980, received her degree in Nursing, and worked many years as an RN at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont.

After her retirement, she and Preston moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, where Emma accepted the task of designing and overseeing the building of her dream home. While there, they were very active in their local church and their neighborhood. She helped form the local Red Hat Society and she enjoyed hosting dinners for their friends and neighbors. After 10 years in Arkansas, the couple moved back to Texas, in order to help care for Emma’s mother, who was in poor health.

Emma accepted Jesus as her Savior when she was 13 years old, and always cherished her relationship with Him. In her later years, she attended First Baptist Church in Vidor and always encouraged others to attend church and seek a relationship with Jesus.

Emma is survived by her son, Greg Rachal and wife, Cheryl of Bandera, Tx.; daughter, Lydia Young and husband, Charles of Bridge City, Tx.: four grandchildren: Elizabeth Rachal, Preston Rachal, C.J. Welch and Cameron Welch and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves one sister, Shirley Palermo, of Lumberton, Tx.; and two brothers; Jimmy Smith and Ronnie Smith, both of Vidor, Tx.; brother-in-law, Herman Rachal and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Preston Rachal; parents George A. and Lena Smith; and sister Betty Smith.

Emma’s family would like to thank caretakers Tracy Wofford and April Gordon, as well as Chelsea with Three Oaks Hospice, for their care and compassion in her last days.