Rachel Jean Grooms

Rachel Jean (Ratcliff) Grooms
91, of Mooresville, passed away at 4:21am, Sunday April 3, 2022 at the home of her daughter and son in law, Kathy and Kevin, with her loving family by her side. She was at peace and went home to be with the Lord. Rachel was born on August 30, 1930 at home in Indianapolis, Indiana to the late Joseph Thomas Ratcliff and Hazel (Blunk) Ratcliff.

In the 8th grade, Rachel was awarded a scholarship to attend Herron School of Art, due to her artistic ability to draw and paint. Some of her artwork was on display at George Washington High School for her entire four years. At the age of 15, she learned to play the piano and continued that love of playing the piano throughout her life.

After high school, Rachel worked at the Indianapolis Public Library. She then worked as a meter maid for the Indiana State Police, then she worked as a civilian for the U.S. Army during the Korean War, typing discharge papers at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois. She returned to Indianapolis to work at Ball Kamp/ Napa for 15 years, before retiring in 1989.

Rachel devoted her life to her children. She enjoyed her grandchildren, great grandchildren dearly as well as being blessed to be a great-great grandma. She always made everything special during the holidays. She was an amazing cook and baker, as well as a talented seamstress and excelled at gardening. Rachel was a devout Christian and loved the Lord.

She is survived by her children John Thomas Loudermilk (Debra), Robin Loudermilk, Katherine Smith (Kevin), Tracy Loudermilk, Joseph Dewitt; grandchildren Carrie Loudermilk, Shannon Dillman (Shannon Minglin), Andrew Loudermilk, Susan Dillman, Jennifer McIntyre (Travis), Kelly Garner (Kristopher), Terry Smith (Kierstin), Heather Carrell (Arthur Powell), Amy Berry (Matthew), Brandon Loudermilk (David Syczylo); 33 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; 2 nieces Janet Smith, Jina Clark and sister in law Dorothy Ratcliff.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband John O. Grooms, Sr., and her older brother Leonard Ratcliff.

Friends and family will gather to celebrate Rachel’s life on Monday, April 11th from 11am-1pm at Carlisle Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville, with services beginning at 1:00pm Monday in the funeral home. Burial will follow the services in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood, IN.

Memorial contributions are encouraged to be made in Rachel’s memory to the Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ or to the Gasburg Baptist Church Food Pantry 11564 N. Gasburg Rd. Mooresville, IN 46158 https://www.gasburgbaptistchurch.com/

Please visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.