Rachel (Windham) Watford

Rachel Janette Windham Watford passed away peacefully at home August 29, 2025. She was born on March 14, 1936 in rural South Carolina just outside of Lamar and spent her entire life there on her family's home place. Like so many of us she spent her life playing out many different roles, and it would be hard to argue that anyone ever did this much better.

She was a daughter. She was the daughter of the late Ernest Hazel Windham, who passed away when she was a child, and the late Edna Rilla Windham. She cared for and looked after her mother until her death in 1989.

She was a faithful wife and a devoted mother. Rachel married the late Benjamin Larand Watford Jr in 1961. They were married for over 45 years until his death in 2007. She was a mother to three children Sheila Watford Petty (Mark) of Florence, Kevin Benjamin Watford (Alison) of Sumter, and Kyle Ernest Watford (Angie) of Clemson.

She was a doting grandmother. She has seven grandchildren who all know her as Gram. Mark and Sheila have one son Wes Petty of Warner Robbins. Kevin and Alison have a son Sam Watford who is married to Kendall Watford of Sumter and a daughter Lindy Watford also of Sumter. Kyle and Angie have three sons: Benjamin Watford of Clemson, Davis Watford at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, and Jonathan Watford at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and one daughter Rebecca Watford in middle school. And recently Gram became a great grandmother to Sam and Kendall's daughter Windham Watford.

She was a teacher. After graduating from Columbia College and working briefly as a secretary, Rachel taught school in many subjects and across middle and high school grade levels. She taught at Lamar, Darlington Academy, and then spent 23 years at Lee Academy in Bishopville, teaching mostly English and serving as the yearbook advisor.

She was a server. She attended Newman Swamp United Methodist church with her mother and then Lamar United Methodist Church after her mother's death. She taught Sunday school, organized the program for Family Night Supper, helped feed families during grief and illness, and was an enthusiastic contributor to the annual Fall Bazaar. She loved to make baby blankets and gifts for young mothers.

She was a fan. Nothing could define Rachel more than saying she was a fan of more things than one could possibly list. First and foremost she was a fan of Clemson sports especially football. Memorial Stadium has not been quite right for several years now without she and Big Ben on the 35 yard line behind the home team. But she was also a fan of the Redskins, the Braves, the Cavaliers and any team a grandchild was on. She was a fan of every teacher and coach her kids had. She was a fan of the preacher even after she couldn't hear a word they were saying. She was a fan of a good book or a good crossword puzzle. And of course, she was a huge fan of her beloved grandkids. The only thing I know for certain that she was not a fan of are fire ants and snakes.

She was a grower and a goer. Rachel loved her fruit trees, her blueberry bushes, her pecan trees, her garden, and she really loved her flowers and her yard. She loved to go to her Canasta Club and to her teachers luncheon, and to Hobby Lobby, and to the Little Theater.

She was a finisher. The final stretch was not easy, but she managed it well. She fought the good fight, she kept the faith, she finished her race and now she will enter into her rest. Well done good and faithful servant, and because of all this we will mourn, but not like those who have no hope. Our mourning will be brief and sincere and will quickly turn to rejoicing. Thanks be to the Source of all our hope.

Her immediate family would like to thank all the friends, neighbors, and family that did so much to help her remain safely in her home over the last years especially Lou Adams, Erin Drew, Caurine Mouzon, and Benjamin Watford.

The family will receive friends Monday September 1 at Belk Funeral Home Lamar Chapel from 5-7 pm. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 am Tuesday September 2 at Lamar United Methodist Church with burial immediately after at Lamar Town Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Newman Swamp School Building Fund C/O Sherry Rollins, 937 Windhamtown Rd, Lamar, SC 29069, or Lee Academy, 630 Cousar Street, Bishopville, SC 29010, or Lamar United Methodist Church, PO Box 555, Lamar SC 29069