Wink Rauls

Thursday, December 7, 2006

Jonesboro

Joel Winfred "Wink" Rauls, 92, of Jonesboro, formerly of Leachville, died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Leachville, he was the son of the late Joseph and Montie Lee Branum Rauls and was a 1934 graduate of Hornersville High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served with the 12th Armored Division at the Battle of the Bulge and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He was a lifelong Leachville area resident, retired farmer, and member of the New Providence Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Jeff Rauls, Norman Rauls, and Henry Rauls, and a sister, Ruth Rauls.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Catherine Dowdy Rauls of Jonesboro, formerly of Leachville; three sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Earlene Rauls of Paragould, Dr. Steve and Kristie Rauls of Jonesboro, and Stan and Sarah Rauls of Little Rock; a sister, Jane Washington of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren, Doug Rauls of Austin, Texas, Jennifer Grigsby of Bono, Allison Rauls of Arlington, Vir., Meredith Lee Rauls of Washington, D.C., and Emily Rauls of Caraway; two great-grandchildren, Donovan Hall and Landon Rauls; and two step-grandchildren, Jake and Lindsey Henderson.

The funeral was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with Rev. Kenneth Winningham officiating. Burial was in the Horner Cemetery.