The family of Rachel Bauer is saddened to announce her passing on April 6, 2026 at the age of 65.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 39 years Dave; children David, Andy, Amy (husband Austin Hicks), and Caitlin (husband Brandon LaSalle); granddaughter Ava Hicks; brothers Wayne, Walter (wife Teresa), John, and Richard; sister Ann Irby (husband Ken); and countless other family and friends.
She was predeceased by her older sister Virginia Lawrence and her parents Elbert and Florence Parsley.
Rachel was born on July 27th, 1960 in Goodlettsville, Tennessee and soon moved with her family to Florence, Alabama. Growing up, she enjoyed gymnastics, cheerleading, and baton twirling. She was also active in community and school events throughout her childhood. After graduating high school, she chose to attend the University of North Alabama. She was heavily involved at the school and with her sorority, AOII, where she served as Recording Secretary and Treasurer.
Rachel spent her college summers working at Opryland in Nashville, TN where she met her future husband, Dave. They started dating in 1980 and she eventually followed him to Austin Peay State University to finish her degree (Business with a focus in Marketing). After graduating in 1983, they moved to New Jersey to start their lives together. Rachel and Dave were married on September 26, 1987 in Alabama then welcomed their first son, David Jr. in 1989. She had two more of her kids – Andy in 1992 and Amy in 1993 – in New Jersey before the whole family moved to Florida in 1994. They welcomed their last daughter, Caitlin, in 1998.
Rachel loved her family and friends more than anything else in life. She was active in PTA and school events for all four of her children, including serving as PTA president and helping open two elementary schools. Rachel had a passion for education and showed it through her work in different schools as secretary, class aid, bookkeeper, and writing grants for schools. She won Non-Instructional Employee of the Year at Heritage Elementary for the Excellence in Education awards from Hillsborough County in 2019.
In her free time she stayed busy with all kinds of activities: playing soccer and volleyball on coed recreational teams, adventuring outdoors, playing Bunko with friends, watching Alabama and Bucs football, and especially loved doing puzzles and hearing corny jokes. She will be remembered for her laughter, wit, and most of all her extreme dedication to her family.
A Visitation and Celebration of Rachel’s Life will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 2:00pm with the Service starting at 3:00pm, where family and friends are invited to gather, remember, and honor a life so beautifully lived at Loyless Funeral Home, 5310 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, Florida 34639.
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This obituary was published by Loyless Funeral Home – Land O'Lakes.
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