Rachel was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on November 14, 1926, the daughter of Graham and Ruby Carmichael. Known to her friends and family as Rae, she grew up in Toronto with her brother Ken. After finishing high school, she went on to nursing school and completed her training in 1947. She worked briefly in Canada before moving to join a group of friends in New York City in 1948.
There, she met the love of her life and greatest companion, Leonard Hood Brandon, a medical student at Columbia University. They married in November 1950 at The Little Church Around the Corner in New York City. In August 1954, they moved to Starkville, MS, where they opened a family medical practice and established their home for years to come.
A gift that seemed to come naturally to her was knitting. She started by knitting socks and scarves to send to soldiers during World War II, and perfected her craft, producing sweaters, blankets, stockings, and scarves until she was well into her nineties. She was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, where she served on the altar guild for countless years and was a member of ECW. Rachel was a founding member of the Starkville Junior Auxiliary, where she eventually became a life member. She was also an associate member of Starkville Woman’s Club. She was always willing to offer support to her friends, neighbors, and community, whether bringing a meal or knitting a prayer shawl.
Her greatest joy was her family. She dedicated her life to providing loving care for her husband, children, and grandchildren.
Rachel was preceded in death by her husband Leonard and her brother Ken.
She is survived by her four children, Karen McRaney (Thomas) of Point Clear, AL, Douglas Brandon of Murfreesboro, TN, David Brandon (Karen) of Washington, D.C. and Steven Brandon (Kathy) of Starkville, MS; her grandchildren, Sarah Williams of Thompson Station, TN, Emily Landrum of Starkville, MS, Andrew Brandon of Oakland, CA, Caroline Kirkland of Oxford, MS, Jonathan Brandon of Telluride, CO, and Rachel Brandon of Washington, D.C.; her three great-grandchildren, Lillian and Olivia Williams and Leo Landrum.
On Friday, April 19th a visitation will be held at 2:00 at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. The funeral will begin at 3:00 with a graveside burial to follow at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Aberdeen, MS.
