Rachel Vickers married Lott Paulk in 1908 at the age of 18 and became a mother, housewife, and helper on the family farm. Rachel and Lott raised five children to adulthood, although she also gave birth to four who would not live past the age of two. Jacob was their youngest child. 

Rachel and Lott were devout church-goers, always showing up early dressed in their Sunday best when it was time to worship. At that time, churches didn’t meet every Sunday; instead, the congregation rotated among multiple local churches, with one meeting the first Sunday of the month, another the second, and so on. When the congregation met at Mount Union, many would join Rachel and Lott for lunch, particularly on fifth Sundays. Rachel was known for her delicious cooking and hospitality. She enjoyed nothing more than having a house full of friends and family to feed and would put on quite a feast! 

Of course, Rachel also fed Lott and their family, as well as his farmhands daily. One day, Rachel did not have lunch ready when the men came in to eat. Lott, undoubtedly hot, tired, and hungry, told her he wanted lunch ready and on the table at 12:00 noon, even if it was just a lard sandwich. Rachel, a small but strong-minded woman, particularly for her time, had Lott’s lard sandwich waiting on the table for him at lunchtime the very next day! 

Almost as much as she loved feeding her family and friends, Rachel enjoyed listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio, but also fishing. One of her grandsons remembers going fishing with her when he was a boy. Once, soon after they had started fishing, it began to rain. He asked her if they were going back home, and she responded that they had come out to fish, and they weren’t leaving until they had caught what they needed to cook for supper! 

In later years, Rachel began to think that sugar may be the cause of some health problems, and she decreased her sugar use as a result. She was a woman ahead of her time in many ways. She may have been a small woman, but she left behind big ideals in her children and grandchildren, who have played such large roles in the legacy of Paulk Vineyards.