Mary Virginia Rawls Dewrell was born in Covington County, Alabama on May 23, 1924 to the late David and Annie Belle Hart Rawls. Virginia graduated from high school in 1942 and three months later started working at Brookley Air Force Base as a typist and advanced to Supervisory Personnel Management Specialist when she retired. Virginia was the last person to leave Brookley in October of 1969 after processing personnel and pay records for 15,000 employees. In 1973 she continued working as a manager for the Army Corp of Engineers for nearly nine years.
Virginia received many awards during her career. Two performance awards included Federal Woman of the Year in Administration in the Mobile District of the Army Corp of Engineers in 1981 and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award which is the second highest award given by the Department of the Army.
A lifelong Methodist, she attended Dauphin Way United Methodist for nearly forty years before transferring to Christ United Methodist Church in 1985. Virginia was very active in many ministries and volunteered numerous hours each week.
Virginia passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 97. She is survived by her daughter, Wanda (Al) Hampton, three grandchildren, Al Hampton, Mike Hampton, Kristen (Matt) Waring and three great grandchildren, Maddux, Reagan, and Mason Waring; a sister-in-law Betty Fountain Rawls; nieces, Paula SnowdenTillman, Donna Rawls Brown and Janet Rawls Newhall.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty-three years, Loyed Cleveland Dewrell; brothers, David Richard Rawls, William Arthur (Bill) Rawls and sister, Nelda Marie Rawls Snowden.
Our mother and grandmother was a loving and caring woman of faith who guided her family with dignity and grace. She was a loyal and selfless friend. Her family will miss her greatly!
A special thanks to Mama’s angels who unselfishly cared for and loved her during her last years of life, Australia Mitchell, Maxine Wittner, Hazel Richardson, Deloris Diane Lamar, Dessie O’Cain, Paula Burnett, and Angalicia French.
Visitation will be Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Christ United Methodist Church from 10 - 11 AM. Service will follow at 11:00 with internment following at Pine Crest West Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 6101 Grelot Rd., Mobile, AL 36609.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com for the Dewrell family.
