Carl "Buddy" Rawls

RAWLS, Carl William “Buddy”, (78) of Odessa, Florida went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 25, 2022. Buddy was born April 4, 1944, in Tampa, Florida, son of Carl Dewar and Erskine Elizabeth (Smith) Rawls. Buddy loved his family and valued hard work. He was a dedicated Christian who loved the Word of God. Most of his career was spent with GTE Telephone Operations and running the family farm.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary Katherine (Saunders) Rawls of Odessa, Florida; son, Carl James (Melissa) Rawls of Land O Lakes, Florida; daughter, Elizabeth “Sissy” Rawls of Land O Lakes, Florida; and son, William Pryor “Billy” Rawls of Odessa, Florida, granddaughters, Megan Elizabeth Layton, Ashley Katherine Layton, Abigail Malone Rawls, and Anna Saunders Rawls, grandsons, Carl Jacob (Zoe) Rawls and Jonah William Rawls, great-grandson, Beckham Carl-Michael Jones, sisters, Florence (Jim) McKay, Christine Marenda, and Becky Jones many nieces, nephews and cousins. Buddy was preceded in death by his brother Fred (Carolyn) Rawls, and brothers-in-law, Richard Marenda and Richard Jones.

A funeral service will take place at 2pm on Monday, May 2, 2022 at Idlewild Baptist Church located at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd. Lutz, FL. 33548. The family will receive friends one hour prior. Following the service there will be a graveside service and military honors at Trinity Memorial Gardens located at 12609 Memorial Dr., Trinity, FL 34655.