Bishop Rachel T. Sommerville

Bishop Rachel Sommerville, 64, of Stone Ridge, New York passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York.
Rachel was born July 23, 1955 in New York to Arthur and Myrtle May. She graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1973 and from Mercy College in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education. She immediately began her teaching career as a teacher at the same elementary school she attended, Minnie S. Graham School in Mt. Vernon, New York.

She married her high school sweetheart Clarence Sommerville II on November 10, 1979. Clarence predeceased her on October 31, 2009. Out of this union they were blessed with five children: Clarence III, Jasahn, Arthur, Raquel, and Jiovanna. Rachel remarried a most loving and devoted husband, Peter Carnegie of Jamaica, West Indies.

Rachel at the age of twelve could feel that God's calling was upon her and she began doing volunteer work with individuals with special needs in Westchester County. In 1991 after fully committing her life to the Lord, she started a home bible study with the permission of her Pastor, Bishop Donald Rudolph. It was in this bible study that she witnessed God moving and delivering nicotine, alcohol and drug addicted persons, the fruit of which remains. Active in prison ministry, hospital and nursing home visitation, Rachel fed the poor and executed the work of an evangelist in saving entire families. Consequently, the feeding ministry Bread of Heaven, 'Feed Me Till I Want No More' was born.

Rachel was ordained on August 1, 1999 by Bishop Nova Lee Andrews and Rubie McQueen and began shepherding a small flock including some local troubled youth. Like her grandmother Rachel, she had a missionary heart that took her on several trips to Jamaica where she was overseer of a church on the beach named "Open Church." Her vision also took her to India where she supported two orphanages and to Africa with African Missions for Christ with Pastor Russell and Evangelist Theresa McElroy.

Bishop's most active mission was in her community of Kingston with her church Bread of Heaven Ministries. With a sincere desire to seek and save the lost, she boldly and unashamedly proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She faithfully counseled both youth and adults by sharing her personal testimony of how God transformed her life.

Left to honor and treasure her love are her parents Arthur and Myrtle, husband Peter, children Clarence II, Jasahn, Arthur, Raquel, and Jiovanna, grandchildren Audrey, Aerianna, Morgan, and Zamiah, brothers Owen and Arthur (Catherine), sister Ava (Greg), nephews Curtis, Gregory, Justin, Alex, Ari, and Maurice and niece Taylor. Rachel is also survived by her devoted co-laborer in the gospel Deborah, Godmother Aunt Vi, Aunt Fay, Aunt Dottie, Aunt Hazel, Uncle Bert, adored cousins Tommy and Roxanne, adopted son Glenn, and a host of extended family, godchildren, friends, and her beloved church family.

To God be the Glory for her life.

The family requests donations in lieu of flowers to Go Fund Me, in honor of Bishop Rachel, please follow this link
https://www.gofundme.com/f/bishop-rachel-sommerville039s-funeral?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR2mYXAfxVZPM3sr1jA0HLFSgJyAOoeAVdVL00u2m8rtQw7d6MxfzEJJemI

The Going Home Service will be on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at His Word Revealed, 205 Route 28, Kingston, New York at 12:00 PM, presiding His Eminence The Most Reverend Apostle Alan B. Graves. Interment will take place at Montrepose Cemetery.