Rachael Ann Strong

Rachael Ann Strong, 40, of Edmond, Oklahoma, passed away on August 17, 2026, in Oklahoma City, leaving behind a world that is a little less vibrant without her.

Rachael was born on September 6, 1985, in Enid, Oklahoma, to Jeridan Strong Jr. and Debra Ann Strong. Rachael was a bright light who filled every room she entered with immense warmth and infectious laughter.

As a dedicated and deeply passionate teacher, Rachael poured her heart into shaping young minds. She started her teaching career at Guthrie High School, but then secured her dream job at Deer Creek Middle School teaching 8th grade English Composition. She was more than just a teacher, she was a mentor, a safe harbor, and an advocate for every child who walked through her door, leaving a legacy of love on countless students and colleagues.

Outside of the classroom, Rachael’s remarkable, creative soul shined through in everything she touched. She was a master crafter who poured her personality into her art. From whimsical Christmas and Halloween wreaths to custom creations celebrating her favorite things, like movie memorabilia, OU football, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. No subject was off limits! Armed with her Cricut machine (inherited from her crafty grandfather) and her boundless imagination, she designed custom t-shirts, personalized gifts, and Christmas ornaments, joyfully embellishing any blank space she could find.

Rachael’s passions in life were her friends, beloved pets, and her nephews and nieces. She considered her friends as family, and she was very devoted and loyal to them all. Her Boston Terriers, Hank, Halle, and Carl, and her rescue cat, Hannah, were her children. She was an animal advocate, and volunteered at the local shelter.

But, most of all she loved her family, her parents, her brothers and her sisters-in-law, and their children. She was absolutely the best aunt. She loved taking her two oldest nephews to the movies, the OKC Children’s Museum, and to the pet store to hold the puppies. She was just getting to know the younger children, but was so excited to share “girly” things with her nieces.

Rachael’s memory will be deeply cherished and kept alive by her devoted parents and loving family. Everyone she touched with her life will miss her dearly.

She is survived by her parents, Jeridan Strong Jr. and Debra Ann Strong; her older brother Dan Strong, his wife Lindsay, and their sons, Jeridan and Nolan; and her younger brother Sam Strong, his wife Kiersten, and their children, Olivia, Owen, and Sophie, all of Argyle, TX. She also leaves aunts, uncles, and cousins from Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and beyond.

A service to celebrate Rachael's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel, Edmond, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made in Rachael's honor to the following charities:

Humane Tomorrow: secure.qgiv.com

St. Jude: https://www.stjude.org/

We will be live streaming this service, to watch the service  go to our YouTube page. Click on 'Videos', then 'Live Streams'. CLICK HERE