Barbara Ann (Case) Rawls

1945 - 2018

Barbara Ann (McKeon) (Case) Rawls

Pleasant Valley - Barbara Ann (McKeon) (Case) Rawls peacefully made her journey to Heaven on November 12, 2018 with her family by her side.

Barbara was born on December 12, 1945 to Veronica and Edwin McKeon in Worcester, Massachusetts. She was predeceased by her mother and father; late husband, Mike Case; infant daughter, Catherine Case; and sister, Anita (McKeon) Dunn.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, William Bryant Rawls; son Scott Case (wife Vanessa); son Thomas Case (wife Alison); and Grammy B's five grandchildren whom she loved very much: Skyler, Sonny, Charlie (nee Kayleigh), Hudson and Juliette. She is also survived by brother E. Joseph McKeon (wife Mary); brother Paul B. McKeon (wife Sherrill); nephews, Mike, Jim, John, Paul and Matt McKeon; and niece Allison.

Barbara graduated from Worcester South High School, Class of 1963, and remained a loyal alumna active in planning reunions and fundraisers, despite living in New York. After high school, she attended Salter Secretarial School and Quinsigamond Community College, and worked in accounting for the former Jamesbury Corporation, along with other accounting opportunities in the Worcester area.

When her husband's career changed from engineering to agriculture, she and the boys moved to Pleasant Valley, New York where they spent their days working together at the family nursery and Christmas tree farm, Bilmar Nurseries.

Once settled, Beloved Barbara joined St. Paul's Episcopal Church which quickly became the center of her life. She was a warden in the church, and spent many hours in fundraising, particularly in food planning for church dinners. Barb was an exceptional cook and was not content with traditional spaghetti and meatball dinners. She often traveled by herself to Maine to retrieve the freshest "lobstahs" possible for her famous "Lobstah" Dinners which really brought in the crowds! Smaller, more intimate, "Winter Blues Dinners" were held with filet and other gourmet foods.

At home, the kitchen was Barb's place, always cooking for family and friends. Barbara especially enjoyed the holidays, often inviting the neighborhood to her home for dinner. She also enjoyed knitting, sewing, and candy making. And, moving to New York did not separate Barb from her love of the Red Sox and Patriots, which she loved to watch at home where she would "rub-it-in" on her family and friends (if appropriate).

Barbara loved to travel, and she and Bryant looked forward to their bi-annual journeys to the New York State Christmas Tree Growers Association meetings, as well as their many cruises and adventures.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2-6pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY. A Funeral Service celebrating Barbara's life will be held on Monday, November 19, 2018, at 10am at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 808 Traver Road, Pleasant Valley, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pleasant Valley, NY. Barbara had many, many friends both in Worcester and Pleasant Valley. Everybody loved her!

Please visit Barbara's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.