West Family Tree

After Rachel (Teller) Varnell's death in 1957 at Evansville, Indiana, Rev. Varnell sought out Rachel's life long friend, Ruth Seely to marry. Ruth carried on Rachel's loving devotion, helping Rev. Varnell in his work for the Lord. Rev. Albert & Ruth (Seely) Varnell are buried together in Logan Co., Arkansas; Rachel (Teller) Varnell is buried in Evansville, Indiana near the Bethel Temple Community Church, that Rev. Albert & Rachel (Teller)Varnell established, with Rev. Robert Schwambach officiating at her funeral.

My cousin, Delmer Berg, said that Rachel & Ruth went to church together, and were life long friends. According to Delmer, Albert came to California and met his father, Isaac Berg who was then starting Pentecostal Evangelistic tent cities in the Los Angeles, California area, traveling to the black churches at 5th & Main Sts in Los Angeles . Isaac Berg was married to Rachel Teller's sister, Isabel Teller. This is where Albert met Rachel along with Ruth Seely. After Albert & Rachel were married, they also started establishing Pentecostal tent cities preaching in the San Joaquin Valley of Kingsburg, Fresno, Modesto, Manteca, Stockton & Lodi California. At that time, Pentecostal started spreading into other Pentecostal groups, and Albert was interested in going out to preach the gospel. In 1941, Rachel wrote to my brother and gave him a bible as he was leaving for WWII. In it she wrote, "Let this book guide your life. It will lead you to eternal life." "Presented to Clifford Teller by Aunt Rachel, December 4, 1941."

-Arlene (Teller) Duncan