Rachel Louise Layton Dawson Underwood

Rachel Louise Layton Dawson Underwood March 6, 1938 – September 7, 2022 On Wednesday, September 7, 2022, Rachel Louise Layton Dawson Underwood passed away at age eighty-four. Rachel was a beloved mother and grandmother, dear sister, faithful friend, gifted nurse and educator, and above all a joyful follower of Jesus Christ. Rachel is survived by her sister Loretta Green, brother William Layton (Deanna); children Donald Dawson (Kimberly), William Underwood (Cindy), and Michelle Underwood Leonard (Chuck); grandchildren Lauren (Jack), Jocelyn, (Timothy “TJ”), Grace, Andrew, Reese, Adam, and Aaron; and great-grandson Dawson Rhett. Rachel was born in Central City, PA to William and Ida Koontz Layton. She attended Shade High School (1956), then graduated as an RN from Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Johnstown, PA. Two days later, Rachel married the late Donald D. Dawson. In 1961, they moved to Northern Virginia where she practiced nursing at Fairfax Hospital (now INOVA Fairfax) and attended Arlington Assembly of God. Widowed at age 25 and with a young son, Rachel experienced the Lord’s provision through a federal program that sent her to University of Virginia for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Master of Science in Nursing. She returned to Virginia where she taught nursing at Northern Virginia Community College. Rachel remarried and had another son and daughter. Rachel and her family worshiped for many years at Fairfax Assembly of God (now Centerpointe Church), where she sang in the choir and taught adult Sunday School classes. She later moved to Warrenton and taught adult education at Manassas Assembly of God (now Chapel Springs). Rachel was a gifted teacher and counselor, and helped many people grow in their relationship with Jesus. In retirement she enjoyed traveling with friends and, most of all, spending time with her grandchildren, who will always remember the candy drawer in Grammy’s kitchen. Rachel’s family remembers her as fun, loving, strong, faithful, and wise. She loved to laugh; she loved to play. She loved to enjoy God’s creation, be it through walks, biking, camping, feeding birds, going to the beach, or working in her garden. She delighted in giving gifts to her loved ones. A strong love of God was Rachel’s strength and comfort which permeated her life and allowed her to be the person we loved. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 6 pm, followed by a funeral service at 7 pm, at Faith Fellowship Assembly of God at 7800 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 22315. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook through the account of Donald Dawson. Interment will be on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Richland Cemetery in Johnstown, PA at 1PM. Donations may be made in Rachel’s memory to Faith Fellowship Assembly of God at http://www.faithfellowshipnova.com/online-giving/index.html

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Rachel Louise Layton Dawson Underwood

March 6, 1938 - September 7, 2022