Phyllis Rawlins

Phyllis M. Burns Rawlins, 73, of Decatur, GA, who moved to Jacksonville Beach, FL, in 2005, died peacefully on Thursday, November 15, 2007. Wife of Donald A. Rawlins, Phyllis was born in 1934 in Commerce, Georgia to Charlie L. and Naomi Morrison Burns, both deceased. The Rawlins' had also resided in Lithonia, Tucker, and most recently Snellville, Ga. Phyllis is survived by her loving and devoted husband Don Rawlins, brother Cecil Burns of Elijay, Ga.; sons, Steven D. (Kathy Machowski); grandchildren, Ashley Katherine and Steven D. Jr. of Jacksonville, and James H. (Aaron Waali); grandchildren, Helen and Zachary, of Bothell, WA; inlaws, Jim and Ruth Rawlins of Arkansas and Bob and Mary Ann Rawlins of Virginia. Phyllis attended school in Commerce and Smyrna, GA, and graduated from Smith High School in Atlanta. She received her BS degree from Tift College in Forsyth, GA, an MA degree in Education from George Peabody College in Nashville, TN, and a Master of Theological Studies from Candler School of Theology, Emory University. She and Mr. Rawlins met in 1956 while teaching at Atlanta's Fulton High School. She retired after 37 years of teaching, most recently as Science Department Chair at DeKalb County's Druid Hills High School, where she received several honors. Raised Baptist, Phyllis joined the Decatur Presbyterian Church, where she served as a youth teacher and a Stephen Minister. More recently, she worshiped at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, serving as a member of the Vestry and as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. Upon moving to Jacksonville Beach, she joined Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach. The family will receive friends from to 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 19th at A.S. Turner Funeral Home, 2773 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur, GA. A Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 20th, in the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 515 East Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA, immediately followed by a reception at the church. Interment in Decatur Cemetery will follow for those who wish to join the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, North Florida Chapter, 988 Woodcock Road, Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32803 or the Lay Care Ministry at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Decatur, Ga. A. S. Turner & Sons