Rachel Elizabeth Claasen, née Slone, completed her work on Earth and was called home to
heaven Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the age of 30.
Rachel was born on Andrews Air Force Base in
Maryland on Oct. 31, 1986, to G.B. and Laura Slone. She lived in Virginia, Tampa,
Orlando and Jacksonville. Rachel received her bachelor’s degree in logistics from the University of North Florida in December 2009, and she worked in the logistics industry in Jacksonville and Orlando thereafter.
Rachel married her husband, Neil Claasen, in a simple and beautiful ceremony on Amelia Island just two months and one day before she was called home to heaven. She and Neil lived in Fernandina Beach.
Rachel was petite, and she had some health concerns, but she never behaved as if she were fragile. Adventurous and fearless, Rachel went skydiving while traveling in Chile. She served as a missionary in Equatorial Guinea and El Salvador. She held her own in the rough and tumble field of logistics. She poured herself into her work.
On one occasion, Rachel needed to ensure a pallet of merchandise was delivered to a particular customer that night, but there were no trucks available to deliver the pallet. So Rachel decided to deliver it directly to the customer herself. What a scene it must have been when petite, 20-something Rachel showed up at the customer’s loading dock in her compact car!
Rachel was warm hearted, selfless and devoted to Christ. She was a member of Awaken Church, where she led a youth group. And she always tithed, even when she was a student who needed every penny.
She never wanted anyone to make a fuss over her. She initially planned to do her own makeup for her wedding — until her mother and sister were able to convince her that a bride simply must be fussed over on her wedding day.
Rachel was a woman of strong opinions, and she would spend long evenings debating religion, philosophy and the issues of the day. Her conversation was always sparkling, and she would not be bullied into retreating from a position.
In Neil, Rachel found the love of her life. She was never happier than on her wedding day.
Although Rachel and Neil will not share a long life together, their short time as husband and wife brought Rachel happiness and fulfillment. Her life was complete, her work on Earth was done, and it was time for her to move on to larger life.
Rachel is survived by her husband, Neil; her father, G.B. Slone; her mother, Laura Slone; her stepfather, Rob McFarlin; her brother, John Slone; her sister, Casey Russell (Brad); her stepsister, Trish Hamilton (Kevin); her stepbrother, Adam Lanes; and six nieces and nephews with whom she was very close.
Arrangements entrusted to Integrity Funeral Home & Cremations, Jacksonville, 891-6211. Please leave condolences for family by going to www.integrityservices.org.
Integrity Funeral Home & Cremations, Jacksonville