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She resided for many years in Mineral, Washington, and was the Elbe, Washington, postmaster for many years until 1994. Upon her marriage to Oakville postmaster Steven Craig, they moved to Elma, Washington, to start a new life.
She had always wanted to go to college and enrolled at Grays Harbor College. Upon completion of her human services degree in 1997, she enrolled at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, majoring in dementia studies. She spent many years working as a social worker in Olympia. Upon the twins’ graduation from high school, Steven and Rachel moved to Hawaii, then later Arizona, Alaska, and finally back home to Centralia.
During their years in Elma, Steve and Rachel “acquired” three children: Heidi Craig, and twins Jordan Craig and Kayla Proctor. In her previous marriage to Shelley Smith, they had three children: Charisma Trolson, Jeannie Theriot and Anthony “Tony” Smith. All are grown now and clearly show the love Rachel (also known as Lark) had shown.
After her work career, Rachel loved to putter in the garden and raise flowers, with many, many rose bushes. She loved her roses. She also loved traveling, and she and Steve took many trips to Italy, where they fell in love with the country. They also traveled to Mexico, Canada and Austria.
She will be remembered for her kindness and gentle spirit. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Shirley Vanning.
She is survived by her brothers, Jon and Michael; her sisters, Jill and Mary “Mick”; close to 20 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary. A private graveside service will follow, with a reception to be held at 11:30 a.m. at American Legion Post 17, 111 W. Main St.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to local dementia or Alzheimer’s groups.
In the end, Rachel was cared for incredibly well in a loving environment by Wellspring Memory Care Facility, Assured Hospice, Dr. Lisa Neff and Visiting Nurses.
