Eugene Wilmot Rawlings, 1905-1991Eugene Wilmot Rawlings was born into a devotedly Christian home on February 18, 1905. The love of warm and caring parents and the nurture of his local Methodist church formed in him early those strong traits of character which were the hallmark of his entire life. His call to the ministry came early in life. When I asked his sister if she could tell me when Gene's call came she responded, "It's hard to pinpoint because that's all he ever wanted to be." He went directly from high school to On October 25, 1931, he was married to Alma Howard Rawlings and to this union one son, Eugene W. Rawlings, Jr., was born. He is survived by his wife and son and two sisters, Mrs. Willie R. Bailey and Mrs. India R. Foster. Gene was received as a probationary member of the Virginia Annual Conference on November 2, 1931, having previously served several years as a supply minister. On November 10, 1933, he was received into full connection and continued in the itineracy for 43 years until his retirement in 1974. He served the following appointments: Powhatan Circuit; Chesterfield; Blandford, Petersburg; Branch Memorial, Richmond; Cartersville; York; South Norfolk Circuit; Isle of Wight; Princess Anne; Moneta Circuit; Fluvanna; Stanley; Grace of Warwick; Corinth, Sandston; High Street, Petersburg; Fox Hill Central; Huguenot Road, Richmond; Christ Church, Richmond; and Oakland, Richmond. Following his formal retirement he continued to serve as a retired supply on the West Dinwiddie Charge; Oak Grove-Salem and The bare record of his pastoral appointments tells us little about the quality of life and ministry of this man. Gene had a wonderful sense of humor -- sometimes a bit caustic when he faced pomposity or pretense, but beneath it all he was a warm, caring person, who knew how to empathize with the sufferings of others. He faced his own problems and disappointments with a faith and courage that was an inspiration to all who knew him. Wherever he served he left behind a company of devoted friends who had felt the helping hand of his ministry. He was often given difficult assignments and knew how to be an agent of healing and reconciliation. Gene was his own man, firm in his convictions and ever ready to pay the price for what he believed. His niece, Ashley M. Bailey, commenting on her uncle said of him, "I always knew that he was the best uncle in the world, but as I spent much time with him in the last years of his life I was surprised to find that everyone loved him as much as I did," When Gene was diagnosed with terminal cancer he remarked, "I have spent my life showing people how to live, I will now have to show them how to die." And he did. He faced his death without fear, confident of the love of his Heavenly Father, sure of the resurrection faith, his hand was outstretched in faithfulness to others to the very end. What better way to sum up his life than to say simply as Paul said of his friend Tychius, "he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord." Death came to Gene on October 10, 1991. Funeral services were held at -R. Kern Eutsler |