Rachel Arend

Portrait of Life

Deaconess Rachel Arend affectionately known as "Dot" was born October 4th, 1931 to Mattie August Johnson & Paul Johnson, in Glade Spring, Virginia, where she also completed her education. Her Aunt Hannah V. Preston & Uncle Trigg Preston were very instrumental in her upbringing.

Rachel relocated to Rochester, NY and later began working as an Elevator Operator at Edwards Department Store. She was later hired as a Surgical Technician at Northside Hospital; which was later named Rochester General Hospital. She then was employed for twenty-five years as a Production Worker at Eastman Kodak Company and retired early in 1991. After enjoying retirement for a short time she went back to work as a Parent Representative at the Rochester City School District Central Office. After officially retiring she began volunteering as a Grandparent at Andrew J. Townson School #39.

Deaconess Arend accepted the Lord as her personal savior in 1983 at Pentecostal Miracle Deliverance Center Church, Inc. and served as a faithful member for almost 40 years under the leadership of Bishop Willie Smith, Jr. & the late Rev. Lossie Smith; whom she loved dearly. She was a licensed Missionary and served in various capacities including serving as Co-President of the Deacon & Deaconess Board, Vice-President of the Missionary Department, President of the Welcome Committee as well as serving in the choir, on the witnessing team, jail ministry and the cleaning team. Faithful, Dedicated and Committed were just three adjectives that described her loyalty to her church. When the doors of the church were open, you could always count on her attending services, prayer meetings, and she always loved when PMDCC would call for an all-night shut-in. Prayer & Praise was her lifestyle! She and the late Min. Geraldine Flowers would often be seen together in the community doing Missionary work, visiting and praying for the sick & shut-in. She lived a life standing on the Word of God; her favorite scripture was Psalm 91.

Deaconess Arend enjoyed bowling on her local Bowling League at Clover Lanes and exercising at Bodyworks Gym. She continued to exercise even in her later years through the Silver Sneakers program for senior citizens. She took pride in doing everything at a high level of excellence, including keeping her home immaculate. She loved planting flowers in her flower bed and was always excited when her tulips would blossom in the spring. She loved her family tremendously and her heart's desire was to see all of her family saved. She often hosted family holiday dinners and was famous for baking cookies for the Christmas season, including decorated cut outs, seven-layer cookies, peanut butter balls and chocolate chip cookies. During the Christmas season everyone enjoyed her beautiful holiday decorations including her famous life-size Nativity Scene.

Deaconess Arend peacefully entered eternal rest early Saturday morning on April 9th, 2022. She was predeceased by her beloved mother Mattie August Johnson, father Paul Johnson, special aunts Hannah V. Preston & Bernice Lowry, husband William "Bill" Arend, brothers Martin "Mott" Johnson, William "Smokey" Johnson, Lamar Johnson, Paul "Champ" Johnson, Jr. and daughter Juliet Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memories: sisters Loretta (Elijah) Ponder, Paulette Johnson. Her daughters Anita (Arthur) Reese, Carol (Keith) Zemaitis, April Arend, her son Timothy Arend and a special daughter Deaconess Eltha "Molly" Mister.

Twenty-five grandchildren: Tammy Reese, Arthur "JayJay" (Yolanda) Reese, Denise "Niecy" Reese, Robert "Bobby" Reese, Larry "Wookie" Smith, Chakakhan Howard, Christopher "Deno" Smith, Mary Williams, Devon (Lashawndra) Patterson, Alex Land, Alan (Paula) Zemaitis, Bryan (Angelica) Zemaitis, Christian (Anna) Zemaitis, Deon (Catherine) Zemaitis, Eric (Hannah) Zemaitis, Amber Zemaitis, Jason Higgins, Stacey Sanders, Shaquanda Lewis, Tiara Arend, Turquoise Arend, Pastor Vincent (Christina) Alexander, III, Octavia Cooper, Quintin Cooper and Sean Pope.

Forty-five great-grandchildren: Jayshawn Reese, Jayvon Reese, Journae Malcolm, Jaydah Reese, Jayden Reese, Floyd Jackson, III, Havyn Reese, Jay'Lien Howard, Sr., Jay'Lah Howard, Jay'Lier Howard, J'raeahna Howard, D'Zaira Smith, Ta'Hani Smith, Da'Nesha Smith, Da'Mari Champ Smith, Aw'Tuhmn Flowers, Aw'Guhst Flowers, Ah'Nyxx Flowers, Ah'Marii Flowers, Ah'Doniss Flowers, Aaliyah Zemaitis, Xavier Zemaitis, Zoe Zemaitis, Brielle Zemaitis, Mari Zemaitis, Noah Zemaitis, Owen Zemaitis, Leliana Zemaitis, Terrance Odum, Jr., Zhane Dillard, Azaira Dillard, Zoey Diggles, Giovanni Gonzalez, Gianna Gonzalez, Mia & Mya Gonzalez, Jason Higgins, Jr., Jada Higgins, Aceson Higgins, Milani Bordeaux, Demetrius Bordeaux, Jr., Michael Oliver, Jr. Zyonah Cooper, Zion Smith, Israel Alexander.

Four great-great-grandchildren: Jay'Lien, Jr. & Josiah Howard, Terrance Odum, III, Vaeha Odum. A host of nieces, nephews, and the entire PMDCC family.