Greenwood Soul Mates – Rachel Splaingard
For us, “soul” represents that unique essence each person contributes to their community, weaving a colorful tapestry of stories, talents, cultural experiences, and more. In Greenwood, this tapestry is formed by numerous unique individuals whose captivating stories and deep connections to the region’s food, music and history define our identity as a town and make Greenwood such an extraordinary place to visit. These remarkable individuals are our “Soul Mates.”
Approachable, considerate and proactive, Rachel Splaingard took a long, eventful road to Greenwood. Since putting down roots here, she has never looked back.
Originally from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Rachel spent years traveling everywhere from South Dakota to New York to Chicago and South Africa. She is a United Methodist Deaconess and has worked as a community organizer and program director with churches and agencies, including The Advance (global fundraising), Response Magazine and the Reconciling Ministries Network, with a strong focus on LGBTQ+ outreach.
“I’m always going to be my authentic self and share the love of God that has revealed to me that love is not limited to our identities,” Rachel said.
It was in Chicago that Rachel met her husband, Dan, an artist trained as an architect. Soon after, the two found themselves in Cape Town, South Africa, where Dan pursued a graduate degree in architecture. During that time, Rachel immersed herself into the community through local outreach efforts, including building two community gardens.
“I worked for an organization called Streetscapes, which really was my chance to marry my background and experience in social work with my then-newfound love of gardening. The whole experience was so healing for me.”
So how did they end up in Greenwood, Mississippi?
“Dan had done a Rose Fellowship where he got to know this woman named Emily Roush-Elliot and her husband Richard, who were based in Greenwood for her fellowship.”
On top of that, Dan’s brother lived in Jackson and his parents retired to Ridgeland, prompting the couple to bring more family into Mississippi.
“We were actually driving through Greenwood when we coincidentally saw Emily out building houses, Dan felt that he could feel really fulfilled doing the same and Emily had told me there were tons of opportunities for community organizing. Everything just fell into place.”
Since then, Rachel has only fallen more in love with Greenwood.
“What I love most about Greenwood is its size,” she says. “It’s small enough that your work and witness really matter. If you invest here, whether you’re building something up or working to change it for the better, it makes an impact.”
She notes that Greenwood is large enough to feel active and connected, yet small enough that relationships form organically. A quick trip to the grocery store can turn into a series of friendly conversations, and familiar faces appear everywhere from jury duty to the cereal aisle.
For Rachel, loving Greenwood also means being honest about it. If she could describe Greenwood and her relationship with it in one word, it would be “complex,” acknowledging both its challenges and its strengths. “We’re here because we love Greenwood enough to help change it,” she explains. “Part of loving a place is believing it can be better and being willing to stay and do the work.”
That commitment shows up daily in her role as Volunteer Coordinator for the Greenwood Salvation Army, where she helps serve 14 counties across the Mississippi Delta. In this role, Rachel utilizes her years of experience to focus on doing what she does best, connecting people: coordinating volunteers, supporting long-standing community partnerships and creating moments where different parts of Greenwood and beyond can harmonize.
“I really love connecting different communities together,” she says. “Many of our volunteers aren’t the same people receiving services, but through this work, they bump into one another. Some people have been coming here for over 30 years. That kind of connection matters.”
One experience stays with her. While working as a social worker, she met a senior citizen who came into the Salvation Army overwhelmed by an impossibly high utility bill after her air conditioning failed during the summer heat. The woman had spent weeks eating nothing but sardines to save money, only to realize she still couldn’t pay the bill. Thanks to a timely donation, the Salvation Army was able to cover the cost.
“That experience reminded me that we can’t do everything in our own strength,” Rachel reflects. “Sometimes you have to throw your net on the other side, ask for help, try something different, trust your community.”
Outside of work, Rachel’s life in Greenwood is full. She and Dan are parents to two children, Brayden and Cece. Their days are often filled with homework, family dinners, gardening and home renovation projects. Dan also plays an active role in Greenwood’s creative scene, helping bring live music to town through the Hush Puppy Music Co-Op, yet another example of how the couple continues to invest in the community they call home. Rachel herself finds joy behind the scenes at the Greenwood Little Theatre, where she volunteers as a stagehand.
“The theater has been one of the places where I’ve felt most welcomed here,” she says. “It brings together people from all different backgrounds, and you have to imagine new possibilities together. That’s powerful.”
For visitors, Rachel believes Greenwood’s appeal lies in its rhythm. “There’s space here,” she says. “Space to just be, to slow down, to connect, to enjoy a great meal without feeling rushed.” She laughs as she recalls friends visiting from larger cities like Austin, Texas and Washington D.C. who fell in love with Greenwood’s food scene and easy pace, lingering over meals and conversations that didn’t need an itinerary.
She also sees tourism as a meaningful way Greenwood grows, not just economically, but culturally. “Tourism brings new energy and perspectives,” Rachel explains. “It allows our kids to meet people from different places and hear different stories.”
When asked what makes the heart and soul of Greenwood, Rachel doesn’t hesitate. “It’s the people,” she says. “And the freedom to live out what you feel called to do.” She believes Greenwood challenges people to love, not just when it’s easy, but when it feels complicated, and to keep showing up anyway.
At the end of the day, Rachel lives by a simple guiding principle: there’s a mystery behind the scenes, so do your best and wait and see.
In Greenwood, her story, like so many others, is part of the living tapestry that gives the city its soul.
Enjoy some of Rachel’s favorite things to do in Greenwood!
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