Virginia Ellen Rawlings

Virginia E. Rawlings (1926-2025)

Virginia Rawlings, 99, longtime resident of Mechanicsburg, Ind. passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2025 after a brief illness.

Virginia Ellen Judd was born on January 20, 1926, in Elwood and was raised on the Judd family farm in Alexandria. After graduating from Alexandria High School in 1944, she attended the International College of Fort Wayne, earning a degree in secretarial sciences in 1946. She married Kelly Rawlings in 1952 at Orestes Christian Church. They set up house in Mechanicsburg and bought a local grocery store in 1954, which they ran together as Rawlings & Son Grocery for 15 years. After selling the store, Virginia returned to secretarial work until her retirement in 1983. 

After retiring, she filled her time sewing crafts and clothes, some of which won prizes at the Indiana State Fair. Every child she knew got one of her creations, often a set of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Virginia loved to travel and watch Purdue basketball, and was famous for her coconut cream pies.

Virginia was very committed to her community and was involved in many civic and church organizations throughout her life. She was a member of Eastern Star for 80 years and was active in the Federated Women’s Club. She served as an Elder at 6th Street Christian Church in Middletown, where she was a member for more than 40 years, and was President of the Christian Women’s Fellowship. She used her sewing skills for charitable causes, making blankets for cancer patients as a member of the Joyful Foundation in Tustin, Calif., contributing to church bazaars, and making gifts for residents of Cary Home in Lafayette.

Virginia was preceded in death by her mother, Vaudie Cockerham Judd; her father, Everett Judd; and her husband of 59 years, Kelly Rawlings.

She is survived by her son, James (Sarah) Rawlings; daughter, Brenda (Pete) Wilcox; brother, James Judd; granddaughters, Kandi (Adam) Rawlings and Karah (Ali) Rawlings; great granddaughters, Norah Chudzynski and Harriet Rawlings, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Services will be held at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Ballard and Sons Funeral Home in Middletown with Pastor Michael Canada officiating. Burial will follow in Mechanicsburg Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Middletown Food Pantry at 985 Beechwood Avenue, Middletown, Indiana 47356. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

You may express condolences or share a memory of Virginia at www.ballardandsons.com.