Rachel Gant Mabry Bargery

Rachel Gant Mabry Bargery, 85, of Newbern, Tennessee, died on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at her residence in Newbern, Tennessee.

She was born on June 11, 1940, in Savannah, Tennessee. She was one of six children born to the late JB Gant and the late Elsie Stuart Gant.

Mrs. Bargery began her working career with All-Wear Manufacturing in Newbern, Tennessee, before joining Security Bank as a bookkeeper, where she later retired.

Music was always a central part of her life. She was a member of the original Gant Family Quartet, where she combined her love of music with her love for family. Later, she sang with the gospel quartet Heaven’s Echo for over twenty years. She was a very accomplished piano player who could not read music but played beautifully by ear. Rachel also learned to play a little guitar from her father, who taught her chords when she was just nine years old. One of her favorite songs was When I Need Someone to Talk To. Even as she grew older, music never left her—if you walked past the room where she was playing, you were treated to a private concert. Just a few weeks ago, she joined her daughters in song at a local event, creating a cherished memory her family will hold forever.

Rachel was also very domestic and enjoyed gardening and canning. Her family fondly laughed about her lack of organization—opening one of her cabinets might just get you greeted by a flying piece of Tupperware. She loved her family deeply, and they adored her in return. She often joked with everyone that Scott was her favorite son-in-law.

She enjoyed old movies, with Imitation of Life and Back Street among her favorites. A woman of faith, Rachel was a member of Fairview Baptist Church. In her earlier years, she played piano at Mooring Baptist Church and at many other churches over the years, sharing her gift of music wherever she went.

Funeral services for Mrs. Bargery will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at The Lighthouse First Assembly of God Church, located at 900 Williams Street in Newbern, Tennessee. Officiating this service will be Rev. Ronnie Turner and Rev. David Turner. Interment will follow in Dyer County Memorial Gardens in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at The Lighthouse First Assembly of God Church.

She leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Pam Mabry of Newbern, Tennessee and Cindy French (Scott) of Newbern, Tennessee;  step-daughter,  Molly Bargery of Hendersonville, Tennessee; step-son, Tim Bargery (Charlene) of Ridgely, Tennessee; one brother, Doug Gant (Brenda) of Ridgely, Tennessee; one sister, Jeanette Turner of Ridgely, Tennessee and she was "Gigi" to her two grandchildren, Rachel Landry (Cory) and Nicholas French and four great-grandchildren, Carter Landry, Lana Landry, Corbin Landry and Layla Landry.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two husbands James Mabry and Jerry Lynn "Mulehead" Bargery; two brothers, LD Gant and Joe Gant and one sister, Dale Bargery.

Honoring Mrs. Bargery as pallbearers will be Carter Landry, Cory Landry, Tim Bargery, Michael Gant, Matthew Gant and Marc Gant.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Rachel Gant Mabry Bargery.

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