January 11, 2012

Edward Allen Rawls Sr., 83, of Suffolk, Va., passed away Jan. 11, 2012. He was born in Newport News, Va., the son of the late Margaret Frances Rawls and Tellie Wise Rawls. He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Christine Vaughan Rawls and daughter, Frances Virginia Rawls. Mr. Rawls was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during World War II. He later went on to work and retired from Newport News Shipbuilding. He was a member of Western Branch Baptist Church and the Men’s Fellowship class. He served as a devoted choir member, Sunday school teacher and deacon. As a deacon, he served as chairman during many years of faithful service to the Lord. He was also an active member of the Prime Time Singers and for 12 years volunteered at Obici Hospital.

Survivors include a daughter, Cynthia Rawls Bess and her husband, Phillip, of Suffolk; sons, Edward Allen Rawls Jr. and wife, Sue, of Richmond, John Stephen Rawls and wife, Mary Sue, of Windsor, and Timothy W. Rawls and wife, Darlene, of Suffolk; grandchildren, Allison, Evan, and Margaret Rawls, Jay Rawls, Jacci and Jeremy Haywood, Jeri Rawls, Jacob and Meaghan Rawls, Bryan and Mollie Bess, and Taylor Bess; sister, Nancy Baltes, of Hampton, Va.; nieces, Tellie Dixon and husband, George, of St. Michael, Md., Hazel Shinholdt and husband, Bob, of Milford, Del.; and devoted friend, Marjorie Cassada.

A graveside service will be held Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Western Branch Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Micah Voight officiating. Friends may join the family for a time of visitation Saturday night from 7 to 8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, Va., and other times at his residence. Memorial donations may be made to the church building fund at 6952 Old Myrtle Road, Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.