Rachel Mae Mumford

Rachel Mumford died in her home on Sunday, August 21, 2022, in Compton, California. She was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama with seven brothers and five sisters.

After marrying Malcum Mumford, she moved to sunny California and in 1960 they bought the house in Compton and started a family. As a devoted stay-at-home mom, Rachel raised two boys, Malcolm and Gary.

When her sons grew older, Rachel pursued a career in teaching. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts – Liberal Studies degree from CSU Dominguez Hills in 1979. She became an elementary school teacher, earning Life Teaching Credentials in 1984. This accomplishment gave her the financial freedom and independence to be herself and flourish as an individual. As a Compton Unified School District teacher, she was a local hero. Her students and their parents always showered her with gifts in appreciation for the loving and caring education she made an urban reality.

Rachel was also a charter member of Tamarind Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church and a long-standing member of the Tamarind Sanctuary Choir. Her church leadership contributions included years of service as head deaconess and sabbath school superintendent.

In 2007, Rachel retired after 26 years of being the "go-to" teacher for the students that no one else could manage. She enjoyed attending church activities, shopping, and musical programs in retirement. Before the pandemic, she recently filled her days with music, drama, art, fitness, and Tai Chi classes at the Douglas F. Dollarhide Community Center. Her most immense delight was providing her granddaughters, Shelby and Kelsey, with everything their hearts desired.

Rachel leaves behind her sons Malcolm (Didi) from Pasadena, CA, and Gary from Compton, CA; her granddaughters Shelby and Kelsey; her siblings Laura (Freddie) from Tampa, FL; Eddie from Alta Loma, CA; Herman (Pat) from Hawthorne, CA; Charles (Donna) from Lomita, CA; Betty from Montgomery, AL; Patricia, from Lithia Springs, GA; Alfonza from Hawthorne, CA and a multitude of loved nieces and nephews.

Rachel is preceded in death by her husband Malcum, her parents Oliver and Rachel, and her siblings Oliver, Daisy, Carl, Mildred, and Broadnax.