Mother Margaret Rawls

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 20, 2008

Mother Margaret J. Rawls, affectionately known to her family as “Dear Dear,” was born June 10, 1936, in Columbia, Miss., to the late Leroy Jackson and Octavia Bacchus James. On Dec. 17, 2008, our beloved made her transition from her temporary earthly home to her permanent home in heaven.
Funeral services will be held Mon., Dec. 22, at the Kiwanis Building located on the South Bypass in Andalusia. Family hour will be held Sun., Dec. 21, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. and public visitation will begin at 4 p.m. at Marshall Hammond Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Marshall Memorial Cemetery on Whatley Street.
Mother Rawls received her early years of education at Marion County High School in Columbia. During her tenure she was a majorette with the marching band. She furthered her education at the Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia. She was a very loving and caring mother that was always involved in her children’s education. She served on the PTA committee and was crowned the 1970 PTA “Mother of the Year” at Woodson High School.
Mother Rawls’ spiritual walk with the Lord started at an early age at the Andalusia Church of God in Christ, under the pastoral care of superintendent Wiley C. Neal. After her loving husband, superintendent Herbert H. Rawls, was called into the ministry, they were led to serve the Lord at several churches in Alabama. She later became the first lady at the Memorial Church of God in Christ and the Opp Church of God in Christ, under the pastoral care of her husband. During her years in the ministry she served the church faithfully in several positions: jurisdictional elect lady of mission, assistant to the president of the executive minister’s wives, district secretary, junior church mother, YWCC president and Bible band president. Two of her most cherished times of the year were planning for the annual vacation Bible school and Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday celebration programs. After moving to Huntsville she joined the True Light Church of God in Christ under the pastoral care of Dr. Terrell Harris Jr. She served faithfully until her health began to fail.
Mother Rawls began her working career at the Andala Textile plant, where she was a dedicated worker for many years. She retired early due to illness.
Mother Rawls was united in holy matrimony Dec. 13, 1952, to superintendent Herbert H. Rawls. After his job relocated them to several cities, they decided to make their home in Andalusia. Several children were born through this union. She was a very kind, spirit-filled, devoted, caring and loving wife and mother.
She leaves to rejoice her beautiful memories with deep affection her beloved husband of 56 years, superintendent Herbert H. Rawls; six sons, Herbert Reinard (Loretta) Rawls of Andalusia, Rex Alfred (Abrellia) Rawls of Huntsville, Ronald Hampton (Frances) Rawls of Meridianville, Ala., Albert Lavell (Diana) Rawls of Snellville, Ga., Alphonso Lamar (Rosalynd) Rawls of Stockbridge, Ga., and Allen Leroy Rawls of Huntsville; one daughter, Malinda Ann (Wayne) Malden of Jonesboro, Ga.; one brother, Albert (Wilma) Jackson of Kalamazoo, Mich.; two brothers-in-law, Forest (Helen) Rawls Sr. of Garland, Texas, and Sidney Pittman of Columbia; 37 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, church family and friends; and two special goddaughters, Rhonda Knight and Catherine Jones.