Emily Kathryn (Speitel) Rawlings, 69, returned to her heavenly Father on May 12, 2021 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born on August 26, 1951 to Dr. William and Sallie Speitel in Nashville, TN. She began dating James at Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, IL, and they were married on May 27, 1972 in Nashville, TN. Before beginning her teaching career, she served as an EMT and then a nurse's assistant in a podiatrist office. She served Lutheran congregations and schools in various capacities in Florida, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Texas and Arizona. Emily loved teaching children and being an active leader in the church. She also loved sports and served as a coach, referee, and umpire. She loved her Lord and exhibited strength, compassion, and courage to everyone around her. Emily is survived by her husband of 48 years, James; sons, Thomas (Jennifer), Robert, and Joseph (Ashley); daughter, Nicole (Michael) Doughty; four grandchildren, Shane, Nick, Micael, and Harper; brothers, William (Pam) and family, Richard (Lynn); and sister, Cindy Culver and family. She was preceded in death by her mother and father. A memorial service will be held on May 29th at 11am at the Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior in Green Valley, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior, 555 S. La Canada, Green Valley, AZ 85614. Many thanks to Pastor Arnold for his care and comfort and to Dignity Memorial-Desert Rose Heather Cremation and Burial for handling the arrangements.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HeatherMortuary.com for the Rawlings family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18