Obituary of Audrey Mae Rawlins

Audrey Mae Rawlins passed away December 23rd, 2010. She will be missed by the family and friends she touched in her 80 years of life. At her bedside were her son Jim Rawlins with his wife Kezia, daughter Ruthie Willard and daughter Lorianne Nolan. Audrey was born on June 9th, 1930 in Centralia Washington. She had a sister Shirley and two brothers; twins Gary and Larry Webb. At an early age they lost their mother, Gladys. Her father Art Webb found a wonderful woman Grace and her children joined Art’s family. Audrey is survived by her brother Gary and her Great Aunt Reta Ledbetter. She was married to Marion Rawlins for 27 years and had six children together. Margaret (Peggy) Houston (deceased), Jim Rawlins, Ruthie Willard, Lorianne Nolan, David Rawlins (deceased) and Doug Rawlins (deceased). Audrey has joined her three children and grandson Joey Nolan in heaven. She leaves behind three children and six grandchildren Tim Donahue, Sherr”ee Kelbel,, Shell’ee Argo,Charity Willard,Abby Rusch and Hope Hestand and 16 great grandchildren. Audrey’s life was full of family, friends and her love of the Lord. The activities in the church kept her busy. Her children were sometimes amazed by all the things she was involved with that kept her busy after retirement. Nothing was keeping her down. She was active in the Church, hosting women’s Bible studies, prayer chain and a greeting each Sunday. She enjoyed the yearly gathering of her seniors group held at her son Jim’s house. She would set the date for the next year the day of the gathering. She had a special way with children at the church. Many adopted her as their grandmother. She was very fond of the ocean and enjoyed the yearly trips to an ocean resort each year. She would save up all year long to spend a few days with friends at the ocean. This past year she traveled to Florida to visit her eldest daughter Peggy and husband Jim. Unfortunately Peggy passed away shortly thereafter but Audrey’s visit to her eldest child and daughter was a cherished time for both. Audrey felt sorrow in the passing of Peggy but knew she had a home in heaven on her passing. Also this year Audrey traveled to Alaska to visit her daughter Ruthie, husband Jim, granddaughter Hope, grandson- in- law Hugh and of course the feature attraction, great-grandson Hunter. She knew this would be her last trip to Alaska and she made the most of each minute. She loved the time spent with her daughter and family and fell in love with a big dog.( Kermit) Audrey loved animals especially dogs. She would never let a dog pass buy without wanting to pet it and treat it like they were long lost friends. Her family’s pets Kermit and Rosie are going to miss her. While in Alaska, she gained strength from the numerous stairs in her daughters house and she was very proud of activities she was able to complete while visiting. Shortly after returning to Washington, she broke her hip. After hip surgery, Audrey went into recovery at the Alaska Gardens Care Center. However the surgery did not take so she needed full hip replacement but Mom had a heart problem CHF (congestive heart failure) this caused water gain that could not be stopped. She was put on heavy doses of diuretics but it did nothing except cause kidney failure. Respecting her wishes, with her children at her side, Audrey peacefully passed away in her sleep with no more pain and passed on to a home in heaven. Audrey not only raised 6 children, she worked most of her life. As a teenager she started working in a donut shop and went on to work as a waitress at several restaurants most of her adult life. Bushes, Johnnies Dock, Sea Horse, and Flying Boots for a few years , and she was a business agent for the Hotel and Restaurant Employees union. She had a life of serving people; as a waitress and in the churches she worshiped with. She loved doing puzzles (jigsaw, crossword and sudoku) and was disappointed but thrilled at the same time when on one visit her granddaughter Charity Willard, got snowed in at Tacoma and could not fly out to visit other relatives. Charity stayed with Audrey watching old movies, putting together puzzles and enjoying each others company. Memorial service to be held Thursday, December 30, 2010, 3:00 PM at Abundant Life Church 5219 111 St. SW Lakewood, Wa