Madeline Simon Rahill

Surrounded by her devoted family, Madeline Simon Rahill fell asleep in the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on December 12, 2024. She was born on November 28, 1925, in Perry, OK, the seventh of eleven children to Addy and Diamond Simon. After the family lived in Texas for a brief time, they ended up in Oklahoma City where she attended Central High School. Upon graduating, Madeline immediately began working in her old high school office. From there she held a position at the First National Bank and was there until she met Otto Rahill, the brother of her best friend Liz. It was clear they adored each other from the start. After marrying in 1948 and living with her in-laws and Otto’s three brothers, they moved to Watonga where they opened a restaurant. Around 1973, Otto partnered with Madeline’s brother Junior and opened Junior’s Supper Club where Madeline worked for many years as the bookkeeper.

Madeline was a loving wife, a mother, a “Sity” (grandmother), a sister, an aunt, a loyal friend and confidante, and a spiritual leader to so many. She was one of four women who prayed Bible Study Fellowship International into Oklahoma City. She was a member of the first-ever OKC class and quickly became a leader, then the class administrator. Her job as CA was to make the 450-member class run smoothly – doing all the behind-the-scenes work that very few ever saw. That’s how she preferred it. She served the Lord quietly and sought only to please Him. The relationships that began and grew dating back as far as 1974 have remained to this day; in fact, they call themselves the “Forever Friends”, who started with twelve and now three remain. Once Madeline could no longer attend BSF, she still hosted an annual Christmas luncheon and Dirty Santa party - with Madeline providing all of the gifts for the others to steal. Her joy came from just sitting back and watching her friends take part in the fun and fellowship.

Madeline's true spiritual gift was hospitality. Her joy came from serving and providing for others, especially when it came to meals and desserts. She was a master at it. When her grandkids were added to the mix it sweetened her joy even more. She babysat each and every one of them often and poured into each of them her wisdom and her love for Jesus - just as she had with her own children. Hosting meals for her entire family - Sunday after Sunday, week after week, year after year - is the very thing that kept her family close to her heart and close to one another. She set the tone from the beginning for selfless, unconditional love that became such a beautiful example of Christ’s love for us.

Madeline’s love and loyalty to Jesus sustained her and sustained her family. While most recently she attended Quail Springs Baptist Church until she was no longer able, her entire married life she attended St. Elijah Orthodox Christian Church. She taught Sunday School there for over 40 years, and poured herself into her lesson plans each week, so that she could communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that her students’ young ears and hearts could understand. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Madeline led many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. She welcomed anyone and everyone into her home to feed them and/or minister to them, and in this way lived the life that Jesus had called her to live. She was the godly example that shaped her family and all who knew her.

Madeline is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Otto O. Rahill, her son Gary R. Rahill, her brothers Ned, Richard, Fred, Junior, Amil and Kay, and sisters Lou, Flo, and Kathy. She is survived by son Randy Rahill and wife Kathy, daughter Lori Cohlmia and husband Jeff, daughter-in-law Patrice Rahill, as well as her sister Charlene Rahill, along with numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved so very much. She absolutely adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren: David (Jeanette) and Chris Gann, Chelsey Rahill, Kasey Bene’ (Brian), Jase Rahill (Tassidy) Trae Rahill (Katie), Ali Kobs (Kory), Gabe Cohlmia, and greats: Quinn Gann, Charles, Maegan, Eli and Kyzer Bene’, Remi and Reece Rahill, and Emmarie and Rett Rahill. And to her angel caregivers who were sent to us from God - who loved and cared for our mom so well for so long: Cherrie, Shannon, Mari’, Chelsey, Karrale (“KD”), Lilly, Maggie, Sylvia, Nikki, Vivian, Cindy W., Cindy S. and Kristy - thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Visitation will be held at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home, Wednesday Dec. 18 from 4-6pm, and the Celebration of Life will be held at Crossings Community Church Chapel, Thursday Dec. 19 at 10:30am. If so led, donations can be made to BSF International.

 Madeline Rahill Service - 12/19/24 @ 10:30am WEBCAST