Rachel Conley

Rachel Yvonne Conley, died Feb. 22, 2024, in Abilene, just three days after her 36^th birthday. 

Services honoring her life are planned for 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 2, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, with Pastor David McQueen of Beltway Park Church presiding. The family will welcome visitors at a visitation on Friday, March 1, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Rachel was born Feb. 19, 1988, in Abilene, to Valerie Flowers and Kenneth Conley. She grew up in Abilene and Clyde, attended Clyde High School.

Rae Rae, as friends called her, and her fiancé Justin Marderosian, were together for five years, but had known each other for 24. Rachel and Justin’s sister, Danielle, grew up as best friends. The blended family Rachel and Justin created included seven children, ages 9-20, and her favorite pastime was spending time with them, especially at the pool or the lake in the summer, or cheering at their sporting events where she loved being the loudest fan in the stands.

A waitress at Heff’s Burgers, and previously at Texas Roadhouse, customers immediately noticed her happy demeanor and warm smile. 

Family and her many friends knew her as caring and kind, a gentle-hearted person who longed to travel and loved all kinds of music – almost as much as she loved Loki, her American Staffordshire. An avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, family put a speaker near her bed in ICU so she could hear them win the Super Bowl.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, sister Michelle Carter, and nephew Bobby Beck. In addition to her fiancé, Justin, she is survived by her children: Nathanial Conley and Kaisen Berry of Midland, and Ricochet Carpenter of Monahans, and by Justin’s children, Dowlin Marderosian, and Brooklynn, Elijah, and Exavien Quiroz, all of Abilene.  Other survivors include five sisters: Heather Rozzell and her children Braxton Bramlett and Alerie Rozzell, of Abilene; Marty Carter and Shannon Wallace of Midland; Jennifer Harris of Clyde and Janae Conley of California; and a brother, Jonathan Harris, of Clyde. She is also survived by one grandchild, John Knox Conley and another on the way, and by many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Those wishing to honor Rachel’s life may do so with a gift to the charity of their choice.