Rachel Elizabeth Carter Long

Rachel Elizabeth Carter Long, 60, of Charles City, a loving and gregarious mother, wife, sister, friend, healer, teacher, student, and indomitable spirit, crossed over peacefully on Apr. 18, 2025.

Born at Fort Lee, Virginia, Rachel grew up in Charles City. After attending West End Christian and Bollingbrook Schools and graduating in 1983, she attended Richard Bland College. Rachel would go on and earn a degree in Occupational Therapy from MCV in 1989, a diploma from Sarasota School of Massage Therapy in 1991, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine from the Florida School of Acupuncture and O.M. in Gainesville in 1997, and become a Certified Traditional Naturopath in 2020, as well as earning several other certifications.

While living in Summerfield, Florida, friends wanted to set up a blind date between Rachel and Don Long, but Rachel did not want a surprise introduction. A spontaneous first call by Rachel was expected to be short, but 45 minutes later they were still talking. Two days later on their first date, after several hours they closed down both Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant and the café’ at Books-A-Million in Ocala, Florida. Two years later, on Nov. 28, 1998, they were married at Westover Church in Charles City. In 2003, they were overjoyed with the birth of their daughter, Emily.

Rachel enjoyed a lifetime of learning, teaching, sharing, and healing; praying for anyone at any time and delighting in the opportunity to home school Emily. She treated and shared journeys of lifelong health and wellness with innumerable friends, family and clients, actively supporting her culture and community including the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Nansemond Indian Nation, Westover Episcopal Church, and The Heights Baptist Church.

Throughout her life, God played a huge part in everything she did, allowing God through Jesus Christ to guide and direct her path. There were times that she explored spiritual alternatives, most notably Tibetan Buddhism. In the end, Jesus drew her back, showing her that he is the only way to spend eternity in Heaven. When she would meet someone, she would very often ask about their needs and pray for them on the spot. This happened thousands of times. On her healing journey, she always prayed for her clients, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the treatment plan for each one. She was glad to have a need to accommodate new clients, since her treatments were so effective as previous problems were resolved.

Her joie de vivre was evident in a variety of hobbies and a spontaneous and enthusiastic approach. She enjoyed a variety of arts and crafts including spinning, weaving, and quilting, and other hobbies that included horticulture, history, science fiction, music, camping, and traveling. Her travels included a “lightly-planned” cavort-about in Europe with her cousin Harriet Carter in 1983, a work-study summer in San Francisco, lots of camping and excursions throughout the southeast with family and friends, and exploring the town of Bad Aibling while receiving medical treatment in Germany last fall.

Rachel was preceded in death by her father, Shirley Carter; mother, Nancy; and brother, Harrison.

She is survived by her husband, Don; daughter, Emily; sister, Jane; and brothers, Jimmy and Chip.

A visitation will be held on Monday, May 5, 6-8 p.m. at Vincent Funeral Home, 9923 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA 23140. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 11 a.m. at Westover Episcopal Church, 6401 John Tyler Memorial Highway, Charles City, VA 23030. Conversation, memories, and refreshments will be held afterwards at the Parish House.