Gloria Rhoads Rawls' Obituary
Gloria Rhoads Rawls, better known as Gran, was born in 1941 to Preston and Christine in the small town of Dell, AR. She was the third of six children. She met the love of her life, Gerald "Jerry" Rawls, at the local Cream Castle in 1961 while he was stationed at Blytheville Air Force Base. This December would have been their sixtieth anniversary. They married and soon welcomed daughters Kim and Michele. Gloria was an accomplished cook and baker and was known across the south for her pound cake, which earned the title of Gloria's Glorious Pound Cake. Her Italian cream cake, chocolate ganache cake, fried chicken, and spaghetti sauce were held in no less regard. She welcomed all around her table for dinner, holidays, and anytime someone needed a place to be loved. Ever the patient mother, she looked the other way when Kim opened and re-wrapped all of her Christmas presents one year and laughed it off when Michele spoiled the secret of the moccasins that she would be opening on Christmas morning. In 1993, Gloria became a grandmother and was quickly dubbed the baby whisperer. She welcomed each of her five grandchildren with her unique brand of love. She saw Will, Drew, Annalise, and Delaney graduate college and Abby prepare for a spring abroad in Italy.
She leaves behind her husband Gerald, her daughters Kim and Michele, her sons-in-law Sam and Donal, and her grandchildren Will, Drew, Annalise (fiancé Brayton), Delaney, and Abby. She is survived by siblings Adele Dollahite, Gary (Gail) Rhoads, and Diane (Wayne) Payne. She was beloved by all that knew her. She spoke into each of our lives and for that we are eternally grateful.
The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Memorial Park with visitation held one hour prior.
To view Mrs. Rawls services online, please click on the link below:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/67225/hash:D5DDE04D42A20D3D
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