Rachel Rebecca Chappelear Muraview

Born on May 15, 1944 in Greenville, South Carolina, Rachel was the daughter of the late Thomas Floyd and Zora Zelma Chappelear and the youngest of six children. Rachel was married to the late Fred Muraview, Sr. for twenty-five years until his death in 1991. 

Rachel graduated from Carolina High School in 1962 as its valedictorian and received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Furman University in 1966. Rachel began her teaching career in Greenville County Schools before moving overseas and teaching at the Department of Defense School in Kaiserslautern, Germany while her husband served in the U.S. Army. After returning home to the States, Rachel moved to Branchburg, New Jersey with her husband and took up various teaching positions both as a classroom teacher and a private piano teacher. 

Rachel had a strong faith in God and was a servant of Christ through her ministry in music. Music brought joy to Rachel's soul from an early age. She began her music ministry as a church organist at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina. She continued playing and serving as an organist for Calvary Bible Church and Clinton Baptist Church when she relocated to New Jersey. When Rachel returned home to her beloved South Carolina in 2004, she joined the choir at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley before later becoming a valued organist at Siloam Baptist Church in Powdersville. 

Rachel was the epitome of kindness, compassion and selflessness with a warm heart that impacted all with whom she came into contact. She took joy in the little things in life, whether going to a Yankees game, cheering on her Clemson Tigers, visiting the local farm for fresh vegetables, or listening to live music. Rachel also appreciated traveling, a wanderlust nurtured from her three years abroad in Europe. She loved exploring different cultures and cuisines in places such as Tuscany and Prague. 

Rachel was a most loving mother to her three children, but her grandchildren became the center of her world upon their birth. There was no limit to how much she loved Ella Rachel and Jonathan Floyd Jr., or how far she would go to ensure they were happy and successful. Rachel made every effort to attend their activities, take them on “Grandma’s Vacations,” and surprise them for their birthdays. Rachel was a devoted grandmother. 

Rachel is survived by her three children, Fred Muraview, Jr. (Rachel Gordon) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Rebecca Muraview of Morristown, New Jersey, and Jonathan Floyd Muraview, Sr. (Jennifer) of Bryan, Texas; one brother, Harold Chappelear (Billie) of Annapolis, Maryland; two grandchildren, Ella Rachel Muraview (10) and Jonathan Floyd Muraview, Jr (8); and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Rachel is preceded in death by four siblings, Sarah Brandt, Thomas Chappelear, Millard Chappelear, and Mary Townsend.  

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 3, 2023, from 11:00 AM until 11:45 AM at Siloam Baptist Church. A funeral service will follow at Noon in the church sanctuary. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery – West at 2:30 PM. 

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory – Powdersville Road, Easley.