Marcia Huckins Rader

On Father’s day, Marcia Huckins Rader of Birmingham, Alabama, went to be with her Heavenly Father on June 18, 2017 at the age of 91.  She is survived by her devoted husband, Herbert Leroy Rader, and her three loving children Jill Rader McCool (Jim), David Lee Rader (Vicki), and Janis Rader Tant (Jim).  Born in New York, to an artist and a musician, she was raised to appreciate culture and beauty. She met her husband in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at the YWCA dance and they’ve been inseparable ever since.  She followed her husband to far places, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri and finally where they settled in Birmingham, AL where she always built meaningful and deep relationships.  She was a gracious hostess wherever she was. Besides being a loving woman, she was a deep thinker. As a political science major, she had questions about God. It was a loving pastor who caused her to think more personally about Jesus. One day, at the ironing board, struggling with her questions she thought, “Why shouldn’t I believe?” and in that moment her mind and heart aligned and she fell in love with Jesus. Her heart has always been with her family, but from that point on, she devoted herself to the church because in her heart there was enough space and love to give beyond.  She reflected Him in everything she did, her particular love was for young mothers. Her love for women, led her to form a womens group that blessed many, many young women and their families. As a couple, she and her husband gave themselves as mentors to the REAL Life class at Briarwood Presbyterian Church for 20 years. They became “Mimi and Poppop” to over 20 couples they mentored through this class. They left a legacy not only to their own children, but to their Sunday school class and community at church.  While she suffered for many years with memory loss and back pain, she truly never complained. They were regulars at the Panera at the Summit, and the staff knew their orders and had it ready by the time they walked in the door. She was a beautiful and gifted artist, and also had a very beautiful voice. She loved music, and was singing  and giving Mimi kisses within hours of being called home to Jesus arms.  She cultivated a lifetime of countless traditions in her family of 11 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Every morning, Marcia and Herb would sit at their breakfast table holding hands and together pray for every single family member by name.  Marcia and Herb would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on June 30th and their love for each other was an inspiration to everyone they knew. She will be deeply missed.  A memorial service for Mrs. Rader will be held in the sanctuary at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham on Thursday, June 22 2017, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. The family will receive friends (one hour prior to the service). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Briarwood Presbyterian Church’s Mercy Ministries fund.

From Proverbs 31:

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life… Strength and dignity are her clothing… she opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue… Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.