Lan Thi Rawls passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 in Aulander, NC. She was born on February 7, 1943 in Vietnam to her father, Nguyễn Văn Viêm and mother, Dương Thị Vẻ. In 1975, she emigrated to the United States at the end of the Vietnam War and settled in Aulander after meeting her husband, Robert McCoy Rawls. She and Robert welcomed their daughter, Cathy in June 1976. In 1982, their family grew as Lan’s three daughters, Nancy, Amanda, and Frances, from a previous marriage were finally reunited after years of separation due to the war.
Many remember Lan working in her flower garden, something that brought her much joy and comfort. If she wasn’t in the garden, she would be working on house repairs, painting, or climbing on top of the roof to lay tar.
She also loved sewing, which can be seen in all the beautiful things she hand-made, from curtains to bedding to Christmas stockings.
To know Lan, was to love her. She was a person that touched so many people’s hearts, whether it was through a fun conversation or bringing food to a neighbor. When she got to a point in which she couldn’t visit others anymore, she ALWAYS made sure that whoever came by the house for a visit that they left with a Mountain Dew and some cookies. That is who she was. Her whole life was devoted to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She did her best to build a foundation in which all her family knew how much she loved them.
Lan was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, and brother, Nguyễn Đức Chính. She is survived by her daughters: Nancy (Mai) Lan Rawls of Houston, Texas; Amanda (Hue) Lan Rawls of Charleston, South Carolina; Frances (Thanh) Rawls of Houston, Texas; and Cathy Lan Lapid and husband, Patrick Lapid of Alexandria, Virginia; grandchildren: Shannon Quoc Thai and wife Benetta Thai of Raleigh, North Carolina; Tiffany Thanh Thai and husband Zach Hanna of Houston, Texas; Faye Thanh Thai of Houston, Texas; Xavier McCoy Lapid and Joshua Văn Lapid of Alexandria, Virginia; great-grandchildren: Joseph Tim Thai, Sophia Benetta Thai, Benjamin Tim Thai, and Phoebe Benetta Thai all of Raleigh, North Carolina; Audrey Xuan Hanna of Houston, Texas; siblings: Nguyễn Văn Liêm of Westminster, California; Nguyễn Văn Công of Tustin, California; Nguyễn Văn Bằng of Irvine, California; Nguyễn Thị Ngoan of Orange, California; and Nguyễn Văn An of Westminster, California; sister-in-law Mary Hunt and husband Bobby Hunt of Aulander, North Carolina.
A public viewing will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC in which the family will be receiving friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.
A funeral mass service will be held at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Ahoskie, North Carolina with Father Robert Schmid presiding.
Flowers can be sent to the funeral home or memorial donations can be sent to Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, PO Box 605, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or online by clicking here
Garrett-Sykes Funeral Services of Ahoskie is handling arrangements for the Rawls family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.
I have many found childhood memories of visiting Linda Lan with my grandparents. She always had the biggest smile, made me laugh and had plenty of cookies or chocolates for me during our visit. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Through God’s love, I pray that He grant you the comfort that He alone can give. My heart is with you all.
Frances, Keeping your mother and all of your family in our prayers! We know she was an amazing woman to raise such a caring and devoted daughter. We are here for all of you! May she rest in peace! Jesus I trust in You!
Mrs. Rawls was a sweet lady who was very dear to three generations of our family. She was especially kind to children and the elderly. Her devotion to family and friends was evident in all she did with love and constancy.
We will greatly miss her and cherish her memory as a blessing.
To know ms Lan was to love her. She was very special to me and my son, Nick. She always had a smile and loved everyone she met. Our community will surely miss ms Lan.
I first met LAN in Hardee’s with Mary. Mary & I had been friends for years but once LAN &I met it was hard to get a word in! I enjoyed seeing LAN around Ahoskie & our brief visits there. She was such a lovely lady & very sweet. I pray her soul has found rest in Jesus. My heart goes to all of the family
Some of my earliest childhood memories involved seeing this beautiful lady working in her yard when my grandma would take me to the store. She was always so sweet and had a smile for everyone she saw. She raised some of the prettiest flowers i have ever seen. May she rest in peace and light with all the rewards of a life well lived.
Mrs.Rawls was a beautiful woman. SHE loved unconditionally. She is the reason,along with God why my husband and I are together .My Condolences to her family.She will be missed but forever in our hearts.