Arthur Rawlings

Arthur Cooper Owens Rawlings was born on a Wednesday, November 26, 1941, to George and Julia Rawlings in Cincinnati, Ohio. While growing up in Cincinnati, his mom would nurture in him a strong love and devotion for family. He would often say, ”We are rich in love and rich in family.”

Arthur grew up on the corner of Amy and Eastfort. He had a fun childhood. He would spend lots of time at his grandmother’s house with his cousins, Sarah Jean, Johnnie Mae, and Marceene. Oftentimes, they would climb his grandparents’ pear tree together--Arthur loved pears! The house was lit by kerosene lamps, and these didn’t provide much light. As children, Arthur and his cousins would get so scared of the dark at night that they would often huddle under the kitchen table together, forming memories that would last a lifetime. Arthur accepted Christ at an early age, and as a matter of fact, he was baptized at the same time as his cousins by Reverend Harris at Trinity Baptist Church in Madisonville, Ohio. Even though they were cousins, they grew up together as close as any brothers and sisters.

In February of 1960, Arthur joined the military, a career that would span three decades and take him all over the world. His travels would take him to Spain, England, Philippines, Australia, and Vietnam. Arthur was given several awards and honors from the military, including the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, Vietnam Service medal with 2 Stars, Navy Expeditionary medal, National Defense Service medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation with 2 Stars, Navy Unit Commendation, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, and the Good Conduct 6th Award Meet Period. Arthur was a sailor, and after he retired from the Navy, he joined the Merchant Marines where he served another 10 years.

While stationed in Washington DC, Arthur would meet the love of his life, and On February 10, 1961, he married Doris Davis. She would affectionately call him Rawlings for over 58 years. While on deployment, Arthur wrote numerous love letters to Doris; she received a letter every day. Doris and Rawlings were blessed with four daughters, Frenchel, Kim, Melissa, and Bridget. Known to many as the Rawlings Girls. Arthur loved to travel, especially with Doris. His desire was to take her everywhere he had traveled and wrote to her about while serving his country. Once Doris retired, Rawlings and Doris would take three month vacations.

To his daughters, he was Dad. He taught each of them many lessons throughout his lifetime. You might have come in crying, but he had a way of always seeing the bright side or the comical side of every situation. When he thought the situation needed a woman's touch, he would simply say, “Doris, I am going to bed.” Arthur accomplished many goals during his lifetime, but he was most proud of his grandchildren, Antionette Davis, Lavina Woods, Jerry Woods Jr., Julia Woods, Arthur Rawlings, James Stevenson, Briana Grant, Frederick Rawlingswyatt, Amber Chatman, and A'shir King. When he became a great grandparent, he was overjoyed. He loved Yasmina, Kamyrn, Nyliah and Kamiah.

Arthur had a strong love and bond with his family. He often traveled back to Milwaukee, Chicago and Cincinnati to visit. He was always willing to listen, sit, and talk with you and share his life lessons. He made it a point to be an active role model in the lives of all of his nieces and nephews. If something happened in their lives, he was always there! He would catch a plane and just pop up at your house to check in on you; word would get around that Uncle Arthur was in town.

Arthur was a man with great determination. When he put his mind to something he would stay the course until it was accomplished. He never QUIT! Arthur was a true story teller; he would captivate everyone with his wild tales. He was a generous man and helped many people over his lifetime. He never bragged about his many acts of kindness. He always looked forward to family dinners. He started a family tradition to eat t-bone steak to bring in the New Year. He was the punch maker. Dinner was not ready until he put the punch on the table. He loved the family talent shows. They served as entertainment, but more importantly they were the foundation to encourage public speaking.

In the last several years of his life, Arthur would often say, “I am going to catch my train and go home.” He often would try to prepare his family, lovingly and firmly telling them, “You need to know what to do.” He would share what he wanted and how he wanted it when he passed. Each of these somewhat awkward sessions his daughter would jokingly say in response, “You are not going to be there!” These conversations allowed Arthur to really listen to his family’s opinions and feelings about his passing, helping them to prepare for the inevitable. Arthur wanted to make sure that when he wrote out his arrangements, his wife and daughters would recognize this as his final love letter to them. On March 21, 2020 Arthur’s train arrived and he boarded it and went home to be with our Lord.

Arthur made a tremendous impact on everyone's lives. Arthur was a pillar of both his community and his family. Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, George and Julia Rawlings, his sister Shirley, and his brother Johnny. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Doris, his four daughters, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

2 - 3 pm - Bayview Family

3 - 4 pm -  Mason, Elks, Homeboys, American Legions

4 - 4:30 pm - Friends

With love,

Doris Rawlings & The Rawlings Girls

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arthur Rawlings, please visit our floral store.