GREENWOOD
On Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, a new angel entered the gates of heaven. June Mable Rawlings passed away in the comfort of her Greenwood home and in the arms of her loving family.
June lived a full and beautiful life. She was born in Chicago on June 20, 1925, and grew up there along with her sisters, Bheula and Marjorie, and brother, Carter. June earned her degree as a registered nurse.
In 1944, while in downtown Chicago admiring the famous Marshall Field’s Christmas window displays, she was approached by a handsome sailor in his Navy uniform. He asked for her phone number, and she gave it, even though her parents told her not to give her number to strangers. Six months later, June married Robert “Bob” Rawlings, the handsome sailor.
They were married for 66 happy years and had four daughters, Linda, Jane, Barbara and, Diane, and four sons-in-law, Jim, Randy, Bill and Rocky. Her adoring grandchildren, Rob, Randy, Nick, Joe, Megan, Katie, Scott, Mike, Dustin, Bianca, and Gabriel, and her great-grandchildren, Kamryn, Lila, Caleb, Haley, Mary June and Margot Lynn, will all miss their gentle, fun-loving Grandma, who gave them irreplaceable memories of boating, family vacations, camping, hiking, playing cards and games, art lessons, family reunions, swimming team, snow forts and sledding. June’s love for her children and grandchildren was immense.
June was a wonderful mother who was slow to anger but quick to laugh and see the humor in things. She was gracious, kind, thoughtful, gentle and wholeheartedly loving to her family. She always supported her daughters in childhood and continued that support as they became adults themselves. June especially loved traveling with her daughters.
June was energetic and fun-loving and had a zest for life. She and Bob danced to Lawrence Welk in the family room on Saturday nights. No audience. No live music. Just two love birds enjoying the moment and each other.
Bob died in 2011, but June packed a lot of life into her remaining four years. She traveled, attended weddings and reunions, played Scrabble and went to Bible study.
June had the gift of hospitality and made our home warm and welcoming to everyone. There was always room for one more! She was kind and generous throughout her life not only to her family and friends but also to strangers in need.
She was also an artist who loved to paint pictures, sew and decorate. When she came to visit, she would always rearrange furniture, make drapes, wallpaper or paint a room — sometimes as a surprise to her sons-in-law.
June was a devoted Christian and spent her time serving others, reading the Bible and pointing people to Jesus. She prayed her family through thick and thin, and in times of trial she always chose joy over sorrow, hope over despair. Only God knows how many people she impacted for him.
Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at days to come.”
Mom was our best friend.
She will be greatly missed.
We are all outside waving good bye.
Service of celebration and thanksgiving for June’s life will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at Greenwood United Methodist Church, 525 N Madison Ave., Greenwood, with visitation hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For those who have asked, the family would appreciate that your gift be made in June’s name to the One Mission Society (OMS), the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association or the Salvation Army.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Greenwood Chapel.
