Rachell Ellen Rutowski

Rachell Ellen Rutowski- Nickelsville, VA

Rachell Ellen Rutowski, 69, passed away, Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Holston Valley Medical Center. 

Rachell was born in Kingsport, TN, on November 27, 1954, to the late Edward Jay Burke, and Joyce Joanna (Smith) Burke. 

She had retired from Three Creek Apparel after 40 plus years due to her battle with cancer. She was a member of Wells Chapel Church. 

Rachell loved her family deeply and made sure she always showed them as well as telling them. Her love for family will be one of the greatest memories her family will forever treasure. 

Crocheting may seem like a hobby to most but to Rachell it was a passion that resulted in her making over 100 blankets and many of those being gifted to family and friends. 

In addition to her parents, her first husband, Charles C. W. Byrd, and granddaughter, Sabrina Simpson preceded her in death. 

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Michael Rutowski; son, Adam Byrd (Stephanie); daughter, Regina Simpson (Gary); granddaughters, Emily and Abigail Simpson; grandson, Thorin Byrd; brothers, Walter Burke (Mary), Thomas Burke (Joyce), Martin Burke, (Sharon), Richard Burke (Starr); sister, Vickie Dooley (Bill); aunt, Sheila Robin Nash (G.E.); uncle, Claude Burke (Charlene); special friend, Michael D. Simpson; and many nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends from 11-1p.m., Sunday, September 8, 2024, at the Gate City Funeral Home. Services will be conducted at 1:00p.m., in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Brother Tilden Nash and Pastor Bill Dooley officiating. 

Graveside services will follow at the Byrd family cemetery in Castlewood, VA. Adam Byrd, Jason Burke, Kevin Burke, Dareck Byrd, Benjamin Burke, and Isaac Dooley will serve as pallbearers. Walter Burke, Thomas Burke, Richard Burke, Garland Eugene Nash, Tonya McConnell, and Martin Burke will serve as honorary pallbearers. 

The family will receive friends at any time at the home of her son, Adam Byrd. 

An online guest register is available for the Rutowski family at www.gatecityfunerals.com. 

Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Rachell Ellen Rutowski.