Elsie Robert Rawles was born December 03, 1930, in James City County, Williamsburg, Virginia, to the parents of Corneilus and Helen Ruth Roberts. She attended the Williamsburg-James County Public Schools. During her childhood, she attended St. John Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. Once she moved to Newark, New Jersey; she attended Calvary Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. Upon her husband’s retirement in 1993, she relocated to Yorktown, VA, and rejoined St. John Baptist Church. Elsie attended services regularly until her health began to fail.
In 1965, she joined holy matrimony with William Rawles in Newark, New Jersey. This union was blessed with two children, Danielle and William (Billy.) They were the love of her life, along with her adorable grandchildren and great-grandchildren. William was her pride and joy as well. He was her best friend, partner, and husband until the very end.
Elise was one that loved family life. She was an adorable wife, mom, and grandmother. She was a woman of great respect. Although she was a quiet and simple kind of lady, she loved being with her grandchildren. She was happiest working on her silk floral arrangements and creating new looks in her basement. Elsie’s favorite times were when she and her husband, William, were riding in their favorite car, the Cadilla
Elsie departed this life on Saturday, December 10, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, Corneilus and Helen Roberts, and her beloved husband, William Rawles. She leaves to cherish her memories a devoted daughter, Danielle Rawles of Yorktown, VA; a devoted son, William Rawles of Newport News; ten grandchildren, Germaine, Daya, Chauntel, Craig, Marshall, Tyron, Tyson, Jasmine, Naeem, and Juean; four great-grandchildren, Jamar, Damontia, Antonio, and Zuri Reignn; one brother-in-law, Cornelius “Billy” Rawles of Richmond, VA; one sister-in-law, Gloria Murry of Richmond, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
