Rocky Mount, NC - Emory Merle Rawlins, Jr., 78, died peacefully on August 29, 2010, surrounded by his family and friends.
He is survived by his daughter, Beth Ezzell and son-in-law Jerry Ezzell of Rocky Mount and his daughter Janet Snead and son-in law Paul Snead of Raleigh. He is also survived by his grandchildren Stacie Ezzell Carr and husband Thomas Carr of Elm City, Jerry Lee Ezzell, Jr. of Rocky Mount, Jason Snead and wife Jessica King Snead of Cary, Susan Snead Webb and husband Kevin Webb of Wilson, and three great-grandchildren, Leah Carr, Peyton Carr, and Eli Webb. He is preceeded in death by beloved wife, Mary Toole Rawlins and his son, Emory Merle "Rusty" Rawlins, III.
Emory was born on July 9, 1932 in Charlotte, NC, the son of Emory Rawlins and Evelyn Coker Rawlins. He graduated from Berryhill High School in Mecklenburg County, NC. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1954. He was also a past Commander of the Rocky Mount Power Squadron. He began his career working at the family business, Dixie Cleaners, and later at Case Brothers Piano and Organs, both in Charlotte. He was a career salesman working for various car dealerships throughout Eastern NC. Most recently worked for the good people at Mangum's Towing and Recovery in Wilson, Rocky Mount, and Goldsboro.
Emory had a servant's heart in his devotion to Christ up to the very end as he was still witnessing to the glory of God. He was a former Sunday School Superintendent at Englewood United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount. He was a long-time member of Sandy Cross United Methodist Church in Nashville and recently became a member of his beloved Bible Missionary Baptist Church in Wilson. He also loved working with and the fellowship of the Cowboys for Christ.
Flowers are welcome or memorial gifts may be given to the Bible Missionary Baptist Church, 2833 Tilghman Road, Wilson, NC 27896 or the charity of your choice.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Bible Missionary Baptist Church in Wilson. Interment will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount. Officiating at the services will be David Barnes, pastor of Bible Missionary Baptist Church, Judson Dunlap, pastor of Sandy Cross United Methodist Church, and Keith Griffin, pastor of Stoney Creek Cowboy Church.
Visitation with the family will immediately follow the Tuesday evening service at the church.
Arrangements by Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 North Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. On-line condolences may be sent to the Rawlins family by visiting www.wheelerandwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Location Not Available
Tuesday 8/31, 7:45 pm
Service
Location Not Available
Tuesday 8/31, 7:00 pm
Pineview Cemetery
761 N. Raleigh Road
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
Wednesday 9/1, 10:00 am
Cemetery
Pineview Cemetery
761 N. Raleigh Road
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
My sympathy to Jason on the loss of his dear grandfather. What a rich heritage you and your family share in having a grandfather who loved the Lord. May God comfort you in your loss and give you peace as you hold dear the treasured memories.
Our thanks to Emory and the whole family for loving our daughter Jessica, and welcoming her into the family. We have such wonderful memories of the good times had by all when Emory served as the cook for the Pig-Pickin for Jessica’s 21st birthday! To the family – we grieve with you in your loss and celebrate with you the joys and memories of his life in Christ. With Love, Bill, Julie, Michaela, Rebecca and Matthew
Emory and his chuck wagon are my most memorable times. I knew him best as Wishbone. He was a great cook and loved to share his skills with those of us cowgirls and cowboys around his chuck wagon. Oh Wishbone’s pork chops were the best. Emory was strong in his faith and walk with Christ. This was evident every time I was around him. Wishbone will be greatly missed. I pray that his family will find comfort in knowing he has gone to his eternal home, where we will see him again if we walk in the path Emory did.