Rachel Kelly Hawes

Rachel Kelly Hawes, 48, entered into eternal rest on March 9, 2026, after a short battle with cancer.

Born on July 31, 1977, Rachel lived a life marked by deep love, faith, and remarkable strength in the face of great challenges.

Rachel shared a devoted and beautiful marriage with her husband, Slater Hawes. The two met in 2018 and were married on August 8, 2020. Their relationship was grounded in an unconditional love that sustained them through every season of life. She embraced her role as stepmother to Sofia and Gentry with great joy, cherishing family time, holidays, and watching them grow.

As the oldest of three children, Rachel shared a close and loving bond with her sister, Sarah, and held a lasting affection for her brother, Lucas. She was a devoted aunt who cherished time with her nephew Isaac and niece Isabel.

Rachel had a great appreciation for the beauty of the world. She especially loved the water and traveling, and recently fell in love with Paris during a memorable trip to Europe. Music, animals, plants, and finding ways to help others brought her great happiness. She had a compassionate heart and a natural instinct to care for people and creatures in need.

She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and later began graduate studies in education at Central Michigan, where she pursued her passion for learning and helping others.

Rachel lived with a strong faith in God that guided her throughout her life and sustained her in difficult moments. Those who knew her witnessed a spirit that loved deeply and trusted in God’s grace.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Slater Hawes; her stepchildren, Sofia and Gentry Hawes; her sister, Sarah (Andrew) Santini; her niece and nephew, Isaac and Isabel Santini; her brother, Lucas Kimble; her father, Robert Edmonds; and her in-laws, Slater “Bill” and Kirsten Hawes. She is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends, as well as her special dog, Irie, and her kitties.

Rachel was preceded in death by her mother, Kathryn Kimble; her grandmothers, Juanita Sarka (Gallardo) and Lily Edmonds; and her aunt, Susan Wintz.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11AM Saturday, March 14, 2026 in The Chapel of Holy Innocents at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St. Fenton, with Fr. Robert Copeland Celebrant. Visitation at the church will be held from 10AM until the time of Mass. Burial will immediately follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Flint. Those wishing to make a contribution in her memory please consider Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) or StreetHearts Animal Rescue (https://www.streetheartsanimalrescue.org/)