Jean Rawls

Jean (Stephenson) Rawls passed away at Providence St. Vincent Hospital on April 3, 2016, at age 88. Her life was defined by many years spent teaching as well as her love of music, but most importantly by her years as mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Jean Stephenson was born in Tacoma, Washington to Joseph and Olga (Ehlke) Stephenson on March 24, 1928. She moved with her family to Metzger, Oregon in 1941. Jean both lived and worked in the Metzger/Tigard area for most of her life, becoming well known throughout the community.

Jean graduated from Tigard Senior High School as valedictorian and student body treasurer. (She proudly-yet-humbly noted that she was the only student treasurer whose accounting records balanced to the penny! at the end of the school year.) Jean graduated from Pacific University in 1949, also as valedictorian, with a Bachelor of Arts in History.

With her sights set on a teaching career, Jean’s first job was at Sutherlin High School in 1949, where she taught classes in world history, public speaking, advanced algebra and geometry. She returned to Washington County in 1951, as a fourth grade teacher at Metzger Grade School and subsequently as an English teacher at Beaverton High School (1952-54).

Jean married Lester L. Rawls in 1951 and the couple divorced in 1983. They had three children together and Jean took some time off from teaching to raise the family. In 1967, Jean returned to Metzger Grade School as the school's music teacher, where she shared her gift of music with children, faculty and parents for nearly 20 years, until her retirement in 1986. At Metzger Elementary School, Jean was known for her Christmas programs that delighted families for decades. She always made sure every student had a part. After retirement Jean kept in touch with her Metzger school family at periodic lunches and get-togethers. She also earned a tax preparer’s license and worked for the Metzger Tax Service until she was 82 years old.

Music played a significant role in Jean's life. She was an accomplished pianist and earned money during college playing sheet music for customers at Meier & Frank downtown so they could hear arrangements before purchasing them. She also played piano in church services at Metzger United Methodist Church until 2013. She taught piano and she was a life-long student, taking her last piano lesson one week before her passing. No family Christmas was complete at Jean’s home without the annual “program” after dinner with a reading of the Christmas story and featuring family members on guitar, ukulele, saxophone, flute, piano, violin and the youngest members keeping beat with jingle bells.

Jean also loved gardening and watching her beloved Portland Trail Blazers (and many other sports) on television, as well as traveling to Devils Lake and the Oregon coast with her family. She was actively involved in book clubs and always had a stack of books near her reading chair. She was a Christian in word and deed and a member of the Calvin Presbyterian Church in Tigard. Jean loved to decorate her home for every holiday and cherished family gatherings for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. The most important part of Jean’s life was spending time with her family and friends.

Jean was a wonderful and dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She never missed birthdays and always sent cards, carefully underlining words she wanted to emphasize. She was an exceptionally patient listener, was kind, honest, and always cheerful. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a beautiful smile, and a contagious laugh that brought joy to others. She was never ostentatious or materialistic; she cared most about the simple things in life – family and faith.

Jean is survived by her brother, Conley Stephenson (Darlene) of Colfax, Washington, and her three loving children: K.C. Rawls (Julie) of Portland; Ron Rawls (Liza Trinidad) of Lihue, Hawaii; and Betsy Rawls (Steve Hedin) of Gaston. Jean is also survived by six grandchildren: Jared, Katrina, Veronica, Angelina, Leslie and Kevin; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service honoring Jean Rawls will be held at Calvin Presbyterian Church on April 23, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to immediately follow. The family wishes to thank the staff at Providence St. Vincent Hospital for their outstanding care. Remembrances in Jean’s name can be made to Calvin Presbyterian Church, or the Snowman Foundation (providing access to music for all children.)