Mary Beverly Dodson Rawlings - Obituary

e honor and celebrate the life of Mary Beverly Dodson Rawlings a beloved wife, a devoted mother, a cherished friend, and a woman of incredible strength and grace who on May 26, 2025 was reunited with her husband, Pete, after succumbing to complications related to dementia. Beverly was a woman of two worlds—Military and Civilian—and she carried the best of both in her heart. Born October 26. 1935 in San Antonio, Texas, she was fiercely proud to be the daughter of Rear Admiral Joseph and Mary Dodson (USN), the spouse of Colonel Peter Rawlings (USAF), as well as a military mom and grandmother. A sense of duty also befalls military dependents, and, like her father and her husband, Beverly embodied the values of a true patriot, a guardian of freedom, and a symbol of strength as she kept the home fires burning through the separations military life makes necessary. Her ties to, and support of, our country shaped her into the passionate, strong, and loving person we all knew. She had a warmth that could light up any room and a spirit that made everyone feel at home. After years of service, she and Pete enjoyed their retirement years in genteel and civilian style, first running Quail Run Farm and finally in a gracious home in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her hospitality was her joy. It was her way of bringing people together. She poured her heart into every event, every party, every card, and every incredibly thoughtful gesture. She shared love and joy generously with everyone who walked into her life. But above all, Beverly was the heart of our family. Celebrating her life are her three children, E. Scott Rawlings, Lynn Rawlings Scalise, and Todd Rawlings (Amy); her eight grandchildren, Heather, Sarah, Connor, Peter (Ashley), Alex, Malie, Brittany (Dennis), and Aaron (Megan); and her five great grandchildren Mia, Hazel, Willow, Zoey and Lucas. Our family extends our thanks to her caregivers – we are profoundly grateful for their compassionate and loving care; they were truly an extension of the family. Her family suggests donations in Beverly’s memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Beverly and Pete will be interred together at a later date. The day Pete and Beverly met Pete spied her on the other side of a swimming pool. He dove in, swam across the pool, popped up near Beverly and announced he was going to marry her one day. True to his word, they celebrated over 60 years together with him signing every card to her “love you forever”. Beverly’s family is happy to know their “forever” begins again today. Isiah 40:31 Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.