Joan Thomas Rawlings, 88, of Elizabethtown, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at Tender Touch Heart and Home. She was a longtime member of Memorial United Methodist Church. As a native of Bowling Green, KY, Joan was Salutatorian of the 1953 class at Bowling Green High School where she participated in many clubs and activities including cheerleader. After meeting WKU student and basketball player Charlie Rawlings, she was swept off her feet and they soon married and moved to Charlie's hometown in Hardin County. Joan was a special woman who touched the lives of many through her work as an administrative assistant in several community businesses. As the wife of a basketball coach, she attended innumerable games and forged many lasting friendships. Under Joan's watchful eye and occasional scorn, her sons Chuck and Greg and daughter Janie will attest that growing up in a household on French Street in Indian Hills in the 60's and 70's was quite eventful. It was often a dizzying array of neighborhood kiddos cheering, playing ball, hopscotch and listening to Motown and top 40, and occasionally getting into a bit of mischief. Joan was rarely without a book and cup of coffee, often reading into the late night. She was the best grandmother to her grandsons. She was so proud of each one. Her face lit up anytime one of her grandsons would call, video chat or come to visit. Her legacy will live on through them and the memories we all share of her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles M. Rawlings; parents, J. T. and Margaret Thomas of Bowling Green and brother, J. T. Thomas, Jr. She is survived by her three children, Chuck Rawlings of Bowling Green, Greg (Becky) Rawlings and Janie (George) Pennington all of Elizabethtown; five grandsons, Austen (Ann Michael) Rawlings of Lexington, Zach Rawlings of Elizabethtown, Erin (Chelsey Moran) Pennington of Nashville, TN, Jacob Rawlings of Elizabethtown and Evan (Amanda) Pennington of Indianapolis, IN; two great-grandsons, Rigby and Fielder Rawlings of Lexington; three brothers, David (Betty) Thomas, Charles (Becky) Thomas and Stephen Thomas all of Bowling Green and several cousins, nieces and nephews. The funeral will be Sunday, December 17, at 3 p.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown. Burial will follow in Hardin Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Memorial United Methodist Church. Our family would like to thank the many wonderful caregivers who helped mom at home and at Tender Touch Heart and Home. Donations may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church. Condolences may be expressed online at www.brownfuneral.com.

Visitation:

Sunday, December 17, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Memorial United Methodist Church

Service:

Sunday, December 17, 2023 starting at 3:00 PM
Memorial United Methodist Church