Racheal A. Holliday

With arms open wide and eyes looking towards the heavens, Deaconess Racheal Ann Baughn Holliday transitioned to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Racheal was born June 28, 1936 to the late Wilbert T. Baughn and the late Deaconess Virginia Sarah Smith Baughn. Racheal made history the day she was born by being the first black baby born at Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital in Darby, PA. On Easter Sunday morning, in 1946, she accepted Christ and was baptized by Reverend James Lincoln Lewis at First Baptist Church, Morton, PA. During her youth she attended Sunday School, sang in the junior choir, attended B.Y.P.U. and youth fellowship. She later became a Sunday School teacher, Director and President of the senior choir, sponsor of the youth choir, a member of the nurse’s unit and the John Mack Freeman Education Committee and then became an ordained Deaconess. For several years she was the program chairperson for Unity Day and instrumental in the senior citizen’s Christmas dinner. Racheal was an active member of K.E.M. Ministries in Philadelphia, PA where she remained an active Deaconess and enjoyed their senior citizen outings and outreach programs. She attended and graduated from Swarthmore High School, Swarthmore PA. Racheal then furthered her education at Franklin Institute of Technology to become a medical technologist and medical assistant. She worked for years as a phlebotomist at Mercy Douglas Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and for several Doctors in the surrounding area. After working in the medical field for many years, Racheal started a daycare and watched many, many children who loved her. As they became young adults, they continued to visit her over the years. Racheal married Maurice Holliday on August 10, 1989. They were married until he answered his call home in 2006. Racheal was the Matriarch of the Baughn family and known for her delicious homemade cakes & Christmas villages. Racheal is survived by her loving family – daughter & son-in-love, Theodosia Taylor (Keith) of Morton, PA; sister, Virginia Grundy of Morgantown, PA; grandson Keith Taylor, Jr. (Marilou) of Tempe, AZ; two grand-daughters NaKeisha Roberson (Rodney) of Wilmington, DE & Kendra Jordan (Curtis) of Swarthmore, PA; sister-in-love, Jean Nichols of Newark, DE; step-son, Guy Williams of East Norriton, PA; step-daughter, Maureen Stephens (Darryl), of Kennett Square, PA; step-grandson, Darryl II Stephens , two step grand-daughters, Ja’Net Holliday-Stephens & Desirae Stephens all of Kennett Square, PA; five great grand-sons, five great grand-daughters and many nephews, nieces, cousins & friends. Racheal is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Theodore Baughn and sister Darlyne Womack

Racheal A. Holliday

June 28, 1936 - August 21, 2024