Samuel Iverson Rawls

Retired from the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in March, 1985. He served in several positions over a period of thirty plus years. He began as a Teacher at Woodmont Elementary, then to Howard High, later to East Nashville High. He also served as Assistant Principal at Madison High. Additionally, he was the Purchasing Agent for the Board of Education. The last fifteen years of his service was spent as the Coordinator of Employee Insurance and Retirement.

Mr. Rawls earned three degrees from George Peabody College: Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts; Education Specialist.

He was the son of Rev. Robert B. Rawls, a Methodist Minister, and Grace Moore Rawls, both deceased. He had one brother, Robert B. Rawls, Jr. who predeceased him.

He was married to Emarene Jackson, now deceased, formerly a Teacher in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools who served at Clemons, Ross and Granbery Elementary Schools.

He is survived by their two children, Claudia Rawls Porter and Bruce Alan Rawls, and their spouses, Irvine Porter and Hallie Head, all residents of Birmingham, Alabama. Also, five grandchildren survive Mr. Rawls: Ellen and Sa Porter; Hallie, Bruce, Jr. and Jackson Rawls. His second wife, Grace Smalling Cartee also predeceased him.

Mr. Rawls was a veteran of World War II, having served as a Lt. (jg) in the U.S. Navy, and when the war ended he was a Communications Officer at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

He and his family had been involved in several organizations in the Nashville community down through the years, including Glendale Methodist Church, Brentwood Methodist Church, the Elks Lodge, and the Shriners.