Dorothy Rita Rawls (nee Troney), age 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at her home in Ocean Springs, MS.
Mrs. Rawls was born on October 12, 1930 in Biloxi, MS to Henry Dell Troney and Estedia Marie Troney (nee Olier).
She was a child of Cajun immigrants from southern Louisiana and a lifelong resident of the MS coast. She was raised on Point Cadet when nearly everyone worked in the seafood industry and many spoke languages other than English. Mrs. Rawls was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton in Ocean Springs until her illness took her from the church life. She was an avid gardener and a great cook in her prime; a good friend to many, sometimes hard, sometimes soft, but a giving person until she could no longer give.
Mrs. Rawls was predeceased by her parents; husband, Virgil Rawls; daughter, Donna M. Peckinpaugh; brothers, Lockwood, Norris, Sr., and Carlton; and sister, Janet.
Survivors include her children, Matthew C. Frederickson, Jr., Darrell J. Peckinpaugh, Lockwood J. Peckinpaugh, David L. Peckinpaugh, and Diana M. Taylor (nee Peckinpaugh); 14 grandchildren; and more than 20 great-grandchildren.
A service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Friends may visit one-hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park.