Rachel Elizabeth (Wait) Ekenseair

Send Flowers

Visitation Schedule
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Sunday, August 26, 2018
5:00-8:00 P.M.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Immanuel Baptist Church
501 N. Shackleford Road
Little Rock, AR  72211
Monday, August 27, 2018
10:00 AM
Cemetery
Riverwood Memorial Gardens
301 Carnahan Drive
Maumelle, AR  72113
Rachel Elizabeth (Wait) Ekenseair

of Little Rock, AR

August 4, 1985 - August 22, 2018

Rachel Elizabeth Wait Ekenseair, 33, of Little Rock passed away to a much better life on August 22, 2018. In her own words, she ''beat cancer'' and is now in the arms of Jesus Christ.

Rachel is a beloved teacher, daughter, sister, wife and mother. She was inspired by the words of the late Stuart Scott, an ESPN commentator, ''You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live.''

Those words stuck with Rachel and she embodied that very message. Rachel refused to let cancer get her down. She continued to live life to its fullest. She was an inspiration to her friends and family in so many ways, long before her 7-year battle with cancer.

Rachel loved her family and friends completely. When cancer kept her from having children, she prayed God would allow her to adopt, specifically adopt boy and girl twins. That prayer was answered earlier this year with Gabriella and John Jr. The twins were a dream come true for her and John, the love of her life.

She lived to love people and tell them about Jesus. Her influence was wide-ranging. She graduated from Ouachita Baptist University (2008), where she was a member of Tri Chi Women's Social Club and the Ouachita Student Foundation. She earned a degree in Christian Studies and a minor in Studio Art.

Rachel loved working on arts and crafts, where she filled her home with her God-given talent. She doted on her children and her pets, Noel, Dixie and Lady. She lived her life well.

As an 8th grade Biblical World View teacher at Little Rock Christian Academy she mentored and touched hundreds of lives with a quick smile, a hug and words of encouragement that changed children's lives. While doing that she earned a Master of Divinity degree in 2018 from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Her whole purpose in life was to know more about Jesus and to pass that knowledge to others. She did that in life all the way to the time of her death.

Her final post on Facebook, the day before she passed, was a witness to that: ''The Lord has made clear that this is Rachel Ekenseair's time to go home to Jesus. There is great joy and peace found in that reality…. because there is victory in Jesus death no longer has its sting. So let's celebrate.''

While Rachel will be missed, her family is celebrating that she will no longer suffer the pains and inconveniences of cancer. They celebrate her victory over cancer and in Christ.

Rachel was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jack and Donna Wait of Shreveport and Paul and Velda Barnard of Little Rock. She is survived by her loving husband, John; two 5-year old children, Gabriella and John Jr.; her parents Bernard and Beverly Wait; and brothers Brett (Jill) and Stephen (Brooke), all of Little Rock.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Arkansas Baptist Foundation, 10 Remington Dr., Little Rock, AR 72204, for Rachel Wait Ekenseair Women's Ministry Scholarship at Ouachita Baptist University or to Ekenseair Children's Education Fund, 19010 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR 72223 or online at www.littlerockchristian.com/ekenseair

Sign Guestbook

14 Condolence(s)
Robbi Davis
LITTLE ROCK, AR
Liked
Wednesday, August 29, 2018

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! What a beautiful obituary for such a beautiful young lady. Remember that you all are loved by many!

Beckie Miles
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Monday, August 27, 2018

Prayers for the entire family. RIP sweet lady, God has a precious angel🙏

FREDDY E DUNAWAY
LITTLE ROCK, AR
Liked
Monday, August 27, 2018

So sorry for your loss... you family will be in my family's prayers

Teri Hunt
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Monday, August 27, 2018

Dearest Brett and Family,
I want to express my sincerest empathy of sorrow for your loss. I pray for comfort and peace that only God can provide to your family. I did not know Rachel, but simply reading a few words about her were enough to know that she was an amazing person who was deeply loved by her family. ~Teri Hunt

Noelle Buttry
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, August 26, 2018

Rachel was our son’s BWV teacher at LRCA. Wyatt loved her with all his heart & she loved him right back. When I made him a book of encouraging letters from some of his teachers and mentors to take to college with him this year, Rachel was one of the first to respond and she had kept a list of funny things he said in her class. I will always be so thankful for that. She used to tell me she wanted to take Wyatt home with her because she had a hard time explaining to John what Wyatt was like and wanted him to “experience Wyatt.” I’ll always be a bit sad we never got around to doing that. She loved her students completely & was my example of what a Christian should be. How lucky Wyatt was to have her in his life. I’m so glad she got to experience being a mother because her eyes lit up around children. She will be missed terribly but what a mark she left on this world in 33 years.

Velma Simmons Sturgill
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Friday, August 24, 2018

John, Beverly and Bernie,
I am so sorry for your loss and wish that I could be there now to give you support and a hug. I have been so impressed with how Rachel handled this terrible disease and her faith in our Lord and Saviour. You all have to be very proud. A spiritual gift is a God-given assiignment, capacity and desire to perform a function within the body of Christ with supernatural joy, energy and effectiveness. Rachel did that and is now receiving her reward for using her spiritual gifts. Prayers for all of you. Thanks for being our family since we came to Little Rock in 1999 for Bob's treatment. We enjoyed being in your home and getting to know Brett, Rachel and Stephen. Love, Velma Simmons Sturgill.

Kim Bonner
Lonoke, AR
Liked
Friday, August 24, 2018

Bernard, Beverly, John and family; I am so sorry for your loss, even though I only spoke with her at Silent Sunday several times she seemed beautiful inside and out. No matter how much time we are given to prepare for death we are truly never ready for someone to leave us. My deepest condolences to all.

Janet Williams
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Friday, August 24, 2018

Grateful for Rachel’s 33 years — the same number of years as Jesus’ earthly ministry... May God comfort your family as you celebrate Her life!

Romona Jackson
Redfield, AR
Liked
Friday, August 24, 2018

Rachel was always a pleasant, kind and loving young lady. I will forever remember her smiles and hugs that she so generously shared during our times together. May God grant to everyone his comforting arms and reassurance during this difficult time of loss.

Cari DuVall
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Friday, August 24, 2018

My prayers go to all of Rachel's family at this difficult time. I will always cherish being Rachel's dance teacher and having the pleasure of watching her grow up. She was such a sweet and kind young lady and even as a child had a wonderful and positive attitude. She was truly a genuine caring and Christian young woman and I am blessed to have been a part of her life. Heaven just received a true angel in Rachel. Love you Rachel!!

Much love,
Cari DuVall

Dewayne
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, August 23, 2018

Rest n Love Mrs. Ekenseair.

Callie Kemp
Papillion, NE
Liked
Thursday, August 23, 2018

Dear Ekenseair Family, Rachel was my OBU classmate and friend. What I remember most was her demonstrative love. I remember the many meetings in her dorm room praying together before the Mission Study Tour to India. She was ever so gracious and compassionate in her friendships. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely

Jarin Fontenoy
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, August 23, 2018

Rachel was one of the most unconditionally loving friends I could ever asked for. God truly gave me an incredible treasure in her friendship for the 20 years we had together. She left her mark on the world and left a lasting impact for Jesus Christ with all who met her and knew her well. She taught God's word so passionately in her biblical worldview classes and loved her students fiercely. I will dearly miss her infectious laugh, talkative spirit, and incredible wisdom. The world lost a sparkling, beautiful light yesterday, but heaven gained an angel. I love you with all my heart, Rach, now and forever! I can't wait to hug you in heaven. Continuing to pray over all of the family, dear friends, and students she loved so well.

Randi
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, August 23, 2018

To Rachel's family, my heart truly aches for you as I know that Rachel will be greatly missed by me and my son, who was one of her students. Rachel's zest for Jesus and life, was truly a light in this dark world. I know that Rachel is dancing and singing with Jesus, and that she was received with open, loving arms. I know that she heard, "well done, good and faithful servant."

You all are in our prayers, for strength, peace, and hope for the future.

Love,
Bryant Family