Mary Katherine Rawlings

Mary Katherine "Bitsy" Coffey Rawlings, 90, of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, died on Thursday, October 28 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born March 27, 1920, in Chattanooga to the late Charles and Margaret (Anderson) Coffey. She grew up on Lookout Mountain, attending Lookout Mountain Elementary School and GPS in Chattanooga. She attended Hollins College and the University of Chattanooga.

In 1940, she married James Rawlings at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church. After his service in World War ll, he joined the Army Corps of Engineers. The family moved 17 times until his retirement with the rank of Colonel in 1961. The family then returned permanently to Lookout Mountain.

Bitsy rejoined Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, singing for many years in the church choir. She was a member of a book club formed by wives of Lookout Mountain servicemen that continued for more than 50 years. She was also a member of the Fairyland Garden Club, the Outlook Club, and the Study Club. For many years, she served as a Red Cross volunteer at Memorial Hospital and Alexian Brothers Nursing Home. Her beloved Lookout Mountain home was the gathering place for almost 50 years of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.

Bitsy was from a family of long standing in Chattanooga. Her great-grandfather was the Rev. Jonathan Bachman, 50-year pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga. Her father, Charles Coffey, was an attorney in the city who served on the boards of the YMCA, Public Library and Baylor School.

From her father, Bitsy learned and would pass on to her children the importance of community service and life-long education. Like her mother, she was a lady in the true sense of the word, with graciousness growing from kindness, personal dignity and quiet spirituality. She was cheerful by nature, compassionate and generous.

Bitsy was preceded in death by her parents, husband and three brothers: Charles, William and Robert Coffey.

She is survived by her children: Margaret (Bill Meindl) Rawlings, Green Bay, Wisconsin; Colonel James S. (Ginny) Rawlings, Steilacoom, Washington; Dr. Peter (Milly) Rawlings, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee; Katherine Rawlings, Roswell, Georgia; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her brother, Rev. Jonathan Coffey, Palm City, Florida.

The family would like to thank son and daughter-in-law Peter and Milly Rawlings for their many years of care for Bitsy in her late life. The family is grateful for the compassion and support given to Bitsy in her last months by Jennifer Brewer, Diane Robinson, Kim Wyatt, Margaret Rainey and Hospice of Chattanooga.

Memorial service arrangements are pending. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church or Girls Preparatory School, Chattanooga.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist. 404 South Moore Road.