Rachel Mae Jarnigan

Rachel Mae Jarnigan passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2020, at the age of 93 at Providence Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills, California, after contracting Coronavirus. Rachel was residing with her son Roger and had recently moved to California after living the previous 40 years in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband Gene, who passed in 1996. She was the daughter of Raymond and Mamie Lovell of Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee.

Rachel is survived by her sons, Roger and Terry; daughter-in-law, Helen; grandchildren, Jessica (Jarnigan) Johnson, Catherine Mae (Jarnigan) Armstrong; great-grandchildren, David and Emily; nieces, Angeline and Pam Lovell; and nephew, Billy. In addition to her husband Gene and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Tracy; and brothers, Gene and JR Lovell.

Gene had a nearly 50-year career between the Navy, Air Force, and Civil Service. The family lived in various locations including Texas, Japan, Massachusetts, and Maryland before settling in New Mexico. Rachel met Gene when they were at Hay Long High School in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee and were married in 1948. She was always proud of the fact that she had been able to make a home wherever life took them but always took pride in her “small town roots”. Throughout her life Rachel was an active volunteer for the American Red Cross and supported Air force hospitals at every base they were assigned. Rachel also was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

The restrictions brought about from the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the services for Rachel to her immediate family which will be through FRENCH - Lomas in Albuquerque, and she will reunite with her husband with interment at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Red Cross, especially in this heightened time of need.