Mary Rawls

Mary Ellen Rawls of Billings, MT passed away on Friday, November 12, 2021, at Billings Clinic Hospital. She was born to Silas Murril and Sudie Mae Rawls on December 5, 1944, in Mt. Vernon, IL. Growing up, Mary Ellen lived in several communities as her father worked in the oil fields. She graduated from high school in Glendive, MT. After high school, Mary Ellen lived for a time in San Jose, CA, and then moved to Billings, earning an LPN degree at Billings Vo-Tech. She worked as a nurse locally for Billings Clinic and St. John's Nursing Home. Mary Ellen left Billings and went to Florida, working as a nurse and living near her paternal grandparents. From Florida, she moved to Arkansas and became a missionary. She served all over the world as a missionary and nurse including in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique among other countries. In 1991, Mary Ellen moved to Alaska to help her brother George raise his three children. In 2002, Mary Ellen returned to Billings to live with and help her aging mother until her passing. Mary Ellen enjoyed several hobbies over the years and especially loved crafts, stamping, card making, and ceramics. She had a love for Darjeeling tea. She enjoyed greatly playing cards and games with family members and friends. She lost her ability to walk the last decade of her life and was supported by dear friends, neighbors, Home Health PCA's, and her niece Christine, who helped her continue to live independently in her home, which was so important to her. Mary Ellen's last years were also touched by her dog, Montana, who was her devoted companion adding much joy to her life. Mary Ellen is survived by her brother Daryl (Connie), brother George, brother Troy (Cindy), nieces and nephews Justin (Angela), Zachary (Kendra), Douglas, Christine (Tim), Samuel, Cherokee, Lakota, Chenoa, and great-nephews and great nieces Kelley, Hailey, Wesley, Kody, Shelby, Silas, David, Sudie, Alex, Lennon, and Delilah. She is preceded in death by her parents Silas and Sudie.