Buna Rachel Addison

Buna Rachel Addison, 96, of Center, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2023, in Center.

Visitation was 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursday, August 17, 2023, at The Venue on Southview, Formerly Center First UPC, Hwy 96 South in Center with funeral service following at 5:00 p.m.  Interment was at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.  Officiating was Rev. Gordon Winslow, Rev. Darrell McCoy, and Rev. Marlow Shubert.

Rachel was born on June 26, 1927, in Shelby County to William Barto and Betty Kathleen Helton Bailey. She was the 6th child out of 12. She grew up in Waterman community and attended school there. After the many adventures that come along with being part of a large family, she met Junior Brown Addison, and they were married on January 29, 1945. They began their life together, raising their family in Shelby County, and attended Center First UPC. Rachel enjoyed serving the community as she worked through the years at Piggly Wiggly, Minimax Grocery, and Brookshire Bros as a meat wrapper. She retired from Brookshire Bros. after 25 years of service, and came home to help take care of her family.

She fought the fight, and she has finished her course. Faith was her weapon, and a positive outlook was her game. To some she was Rachel and Mother, to some MawMaw, to some the Candy Lady, and to a few she was Buna.

There will never be another person as loyal. If she was on your side, it was for life. She would tell everyone how wonderful you were and how well you could do things. But never doubt, if you needed to be straightened out, she was there for that too! She would tell you exactly how it was or how it should be.
Cooking was her love language. Her soup…the BEST!! Her pies…AMAZING!!!

She always made sure the grandchildren and great grands had what they needed. If you were present, you were her favorite!! When the next group came in … they were her favorites too!! There were a few that rose to the top and shined a little brighter than the rest of us. The spiritual heritage she has left is strong. She trusted and left all things in the hands of the Lord. For the past few days she has laid with her eyes closed at times. She wasn’t asleep… she was praying. We are thankful for all of the prayers she has prayed over us.
There will never be another … and we are so glad she was ours.

She is survived by her children: Delores Fountain of Center, Bobby and Rose Addison of Center, Tonhia and Jerry Fleming of Shelbyville.

Grandchildren: Lisa and David Hailey of Timpson. Monica and Raymond Caldas of Center. Stephanie and Wallace Wilkins of Cabot, Arkansas, Joey and Iletha Fountain of Center, Lance and Pam Lightfoot of Center, Derrick and Jacy Lightfoot of Joaquin, and Alanna Fleming of Richfield, Minnesota.

Great grandchildren: Krista Elliott of Bentonville, AR, Kendron Elliott of Los Angeles, Calif., Hannah Caldas of Center, lissa and Abbey Hailey of Timpson, Christipher Lightfoot of Joaquin, Cannon, McKenzie, and Delancy Wilkins of Cabot, Arkansas, Mitch and Leah Fountain of Center, Lyndrey, Jansen, Taylen, Daygen, and Paxley Lightfoot of Joaquin.

Numerous nieces and nephews.

Special Friend, Linda Brittain of Center.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband, son in law, Joe Fountain; grandchild, Addison Hailey; sisters, Wanda Burt, Helen Bowden, Lynn Burkett, Vaudene Owens, Ruth Gills, Lavern Merritt and Shelby Jean McDonald; and brothers, Troy Bailey, Buck Bailey, James Bailey, and Thomas Bailey.

Pallbearers were Lance Lightfoot, Derrick Lightfoot, Wallace Wilkins, Raymond Caldas, Joey Fountain, and David Hailey.

Honorary Pallbearers were Christipher Lightfoot, Jansen Lightfoot, Daygen Lightfoot, Kendron Elliott, Cannon Wilkins, and Mitch Fountain.

Online condolences and tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfh.com