Henry Rawlings

Henry W. Rawlings, known to many as â??Jakeâ? died on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at Maria Parham Hospital in Henderson, NC at the age of 90. He was born in Wakefield, Virginia, but lived most of his life in Hopewell, Virginia. Jake was a member of Company E of The Old First Virginia National Guard which later became the 176th Infantry. He later transferred to the army air corps where he was a highly decorated Staff Sergeant in the China, Burma, India Campaign during WWII. Proudly, he was pictured as an air gunner on the History channelâ??s episode, â??Burma Bridge Bustersâ? several years ago. He was retired from Allied Chemical where he was foreman of Research and Development. Jake loved bass fishing on Lake Gaston, and entertaining the grandchildren with his colorful stories. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Henry and Hortense Rawlings of Hopewell and two brothers, Waverly and Douglas Rawlings. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mildred M. Rawlings, children, Debra Rawlings of Hopewell, Virginia, Linda Gail Smith and her husband Louis of Lake Gaston, grandchildren and spouses Hope and Gustavo Capparelli of Mammaroneck, NY, Christopher and Terrina Foxworth of Hanover, Virginia, Adrian Angelina and Kama Brown of Clarence, NY, Kelley Collawn of Hopewell, VA, Angela Llawn and Ted Ebersol of Harrisburg, PA, Jessica and Zachary Green, and Luke Smith, all of Rome, GA and seven great grandchildren. The family will receive friends Sunday, April 6, 2008 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service at 820 West Broadway, Hopewell, VA. A graveside service will be held Monday, April 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia. Condolences may be registered with www.jtmorriss.com