Mary Josephine Steward Rawls

On the morning of November 30, 2015, surrounded by her loving family, Mary Josephine Steward (Jo) Rawls peacefully and successfully completed her earthly purpose as one of God’s most faithful servants and joyfully traveled with angels to claim her much-anticipated spot in heaven, where her brother Jim Ed has been waiting for seventy-nine years.
Mary Jo, as she was called when she was a child, was born in Pampa, TX on Oct. 11, 1931, the second child to James “Hoot” Steward and Audrey Salyars Steward. She was welcomed by her older sister Atha Belle and was joined in 1933 by her brother James Edward “Jim Ed”. The family lived in the canyons of the Texas Panhandle where Hoot worked for Magnolia Oil Co.operating oil derricks. In 1936, during the Texas Dust Bowl, Jo, Belle, and Jim Ed all fell ill with scarlet fever. Unfortunately, Jim Ed did not survive the illness and passed away at age three in his mother’s arms. Several years later, the family was blessed with another child, a daughter named Ruth Helen. The three sisters grew up in Pampa, TX. Jo was a social butterfly throughout her school years. She was a majorette during junior high and very active in Rainbow Girls while attending Pampa High School until graduating in 1950. She then moved to Abilene, TX and attended Abilene Christian College where she graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During her college years, Jo married Dan Rawls and gave birth to her first son, Danny, in 1954. After graduating and giving birth to her second son, Joey, in 1957, Jo became a full-time mom devoting herself to teaching her children the meaning of love. Three more children followed: Dave in 1960, Sherry in 1962, and Audrey in 1967. She was fully involved in her children’s activities and especially enjoyed being a Den Mother to Cub Scouts. Jo was extremely proud of her five Eagle Scout grandsons and her sons who were Scout leaders. She loved to attend Trinity High School football games and did so at every opportunity from 1970-1985 to proudly show her support by watching Danny, Dave, Sherry, and Audrey perform with the band and to cheer on Joey as an athletic trainer. One of Jo’s favorite accomplishments was having all five of her kids graduate from Trinity.
Jo Rawls was a lifelong faithful Christian having consciously devoted her life to God at age 13. She was a member of the Church of Christ and attended The Hills Church for more than 30 years. Jo was able to quote much of the Bible, and she did so at every opportunity. She took special pride in being a Bible school teacher to two-year-olds for 20 years and loved teaching them songs and early concepts about Jesus and God. Jo never strayed from her conviction and was an inspiration to many.
Jo Rawls knew from an early age that she was an artist. She had an uncanny ability to use virtually any medium to create art. Jo was known for her ability to sew anything and easily could have been a costume designer. She was an amazing painter, sculptor, was talented at paper crafts and drawing, and she was a poet. Jo greatly enjoyed a creative challenge and could “make anything out of anything”. Beginning in 1984, Jo gave unique handmade Christmas ornaments to every member of her growing family who looked forward year after year to finding out what that year’s design would be. She loved teaching her children and grandchildren arts and crafts and for several summers held “Nana Camp” at her house.
Jo was recognizable because of her short stature, but she was feisty and never let her tiny body hold her back. She believed her body was perfect because it was created by God. Jo was 4’10” at her tallest and was the family “measuring stick”. Each child and grandchild looked forward to being taller than Nana, which usually occurred around the age of 12.
Jo Rawls cooked delicious pot roasts, and her chocolate pies and fudge were legendary. She loved to read, work crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and listen to music. As a child, she loved to climb trees and was even occasionally found at the top of an oil derrick. Her greatest joy, from birth to death, was spending time with her family.
Jo Rawls was preceded in death by her brother James Edward Steward, her mother Audrey Salyars Steward, and her father James "Hoot" Steward. She is survived by her sisters Belle Lee and Ruth "Punchy" Jordan, and her children Danny Rawls and his wife Kathy Rawls, Joey Rawls and his wife Vicky Rawls, Dave Rawls and his wife Michelle Rawls, Sherry McGilvray and her husband Jeff McGilvray, and Audrey Avera and her husband Andy Avera. Jo was known as Nana to her grandchildren Krystal Bybee and husband Bobby, Daniel Rawls and wife Mandy, Josh Rawls and wife Mako, Jordan Rawls, Austin Rawls and wife Julia, Jonathan Rawls and wife Kacie, Mikhael Rawls and wife Victoria, Amber Gales and husband Teddy, Zak Mcgilvray and wife Katie, Jayson Mcgilvray, Zoey Harrison, and Davis Avera. Nana was also blessed with great-grandchildren Hannah, Kaity, Ella, Blake, Gavin, Addison, Ava, Reese, Samuel, Erin, and Emilee. Ten nieces and nephews and their children loved their Aunt Jo. The five children of Jo Rawls wish to acknowledge our loving father and step-mother, Dan and Bess Rawls, for their unconditional love and support.