Born on September 18, 1921, Rachel (Watson) Preddy Harris was born in her childhood home in Greensboro, NC. Having learned by her mother's example, from her earliest days Rachel was always considerate and full of grace. She made kindness look effortless. Growing up, Rachel was the third born of her parents' four children. Her brothers George and Bill were killed as fighter pilots during WWII and her sister, Jonnice, died during child birth. Though Rachel survived all of her siblings by 70 years, she consistently spoke fondly of them and kept their memories alive throughout her time here on earth.

In August of 1941 Rachel married Rigdon Harris at their family church, West Market Methodist Church. That evening, they went to the movies followed by a honeymoon in the mountains of Asheville, NC. Rachel was the perfect wife. She was patient, put her family members' needs before her own, never shied away from showing her love and was an excellent cook to boot. In addition to caring for her husband and her two children, Anne born in 1943 and George (her oldest brother's namesake) born in 1947, she worked at North Carolina State University as an Administrative Assistant to a Dean. Because of her positive demeanor and excellent work ethic throughout her time at the university, she was hand selected by one of the Chancellors of the university to transition into the role of his secretary. She stayed in this role until the day that she retired in 1986 at age 65. Her husband, Rigdon, retired the same day as her.

Retirement led Rachel and her husband, Rigdon, to move to Jacksonville, FL. They moved in 1993 to be close to her son and her granddaughter, Amanda, born in 1990. The love, kindness and charismatic attitude Rachel radiated throughout her earlier years extended to those who she came in contact with once moving to Florida. Rachel made friends with every new person she encountered. Despite living in a new place, she made the effort to seek out others and brighten their lives. She improved every community that she became a part of. She never once made an enemy and she never spoke poorly about anyone or anything. Whether her neighborhood friends or the nurses who cared for her in her final months, Rachel truly made every person feel special and loved. She set the highest example of how to treat other people, regardless of how they treat you. To those on this earth who were fortunate enough to know Rachel, they will honor her legacy by following her strong example.

Rachel is survived by her children Anne Gordon, and George (Pamela) Harris, her grandchildren Eric Gordon and Amanda Harris (Gary Adams), her great grandchildren Charlie Gordon and Trent Gordon as well as all of the lives that she touched, just by being herself. Rachel left this world the way that she lived in it for 95 years - peacefully, respectfully and full of grace.