Rachel Veleria Drew (Collins) ,83, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2021 after a valiant fight against heart disease and lupus. Rachel was born on August 20,1937 to Joseph and Ida Collins in Portsmouth, Virginia. She was the second of seven children. She attended I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, VA. and graduated in 1956. Rachel attended and graduated from Clark College [Atlanta, Georgia] with a degree in Social Studies.
In 1960, she married Vernon 0. Drew Jr. and embarked on the life of a military wife. During 22 years of her husband's service, she obtained teaching certifications in many states. She taught in Virginia, Mississippi, California, Texas, Alabama, and Maryland. After settling in San Antonio, Texas in 1992, she continued to teach until retiring in 2002.
Rachel was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Alethia and Patricia. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Vernon, her children Stephen, Jennifer [Dennis], Kenneth, Alissa, Anissa, her sister Rubye Black, her brothers Joseph, Thomas, and Ronald [Rosie], many grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Along with her family, Rachel loved her church family at Grace First Baptist. She taught preschoolers in Sunday School for two decades and was a staunch supporter of several ministries and auxiliaries.
Rachel was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Church Women United.
She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by many friends and relatives.
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