Joyce E. Rawlings

Life Story:

Born February 28, 1946, in Newburgh, New York, Joyce was the daughter of the late Orlando (Jake) and Bessie Jane (Gillespie) Morgan. In her early career she was a dedicated employee for Pierce Lighting Company in Newburgh NY. Joyce and her husband Ray moved to Orlando, FL in 1985 where she worked for a brief period in the cafeteria at Orlando Community College. She then would spend the rest of her time as a housewife while also cleaning houses, shopping and running errands for the elderly.

Joyce was an active member of Reeve’s United Memorial Church in Orlando where she joined the “Knit Wits”. A group of women who knit garments for the needy.

After the passing of her husband, she returned to NY in 2017 to be near her family which was her greatest treasure.

In her last weeks she found peace in her favorite hymn “Jesus Loves Me” and relied on God’s promise in Matthew 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" to bring her comfort.

She will be forever remembered for her kind, humble and gentle spirit. Being a soft-spoken and selfless person who never complained and always put others and their needs before herself. Someone who truly loved unconditionally.

Survived by sons Lawrence Keeno, Jr. (Davina) of Middletown, NY. Robert Keeno of Clintondale, NY, Step daughter Ramona Rawlings of Elkins, AR, Step daughter Linda Rawlings of Houma, LA,

Cherished grandmother to Renae, Lauren, Nicole, Tyler, Jamie, Kaitlyn, Breanne, Mia and Isabella.

Step grandchildren Daniel, William, Chad, Rachel, James and Brandon.

survived by five great grandchildren and several step-great grandchildren.

Loving sister to George Morgan, Carolyn Wright, Robert Boeckmann, Donna Boeckmann, Darlene Salyer, Billy Boeckmann, Judy Carr, Kathy Newkirk, Landy Morgan and Amy Punkosdy.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents, loving husband William R Rawlings, daughter Tammy Keeno-Ponzo, sister Janice Turner, sister Joan Halstead and brother Vincent Morgan.

A visitation for Joyce will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville, NY 10992. A burial will occur at Oaklawn Memorial Park, 600 S.R. 46A, Lake Mary, FL 32746.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff of Middletown Park Rehabilitation and healthcare / unit 1 who cared Joyce during her time there.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joyce's memory may be made to Shriners Children's , P.O. Box 947765, Atlanta, Georgia 30394 US, [email protected]; and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 US, www.stjude.org.