Rock Hill, South Carolina – Curtis Hilton Rawls, age 96, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023.

Curtis was born on April 21, 1927, in Rock Hill, SC to Palmer Harrison Rawls and Bessie Byrd Rawls.  He graduated from Rock Hill High School and from Clemson College where he earned a degree in Textile Engineering.  He served in the Navy during World War II and spent most of his career at Celanese Textile Plant where he started as a shift supervisor and later became the safety and training manager.  He was a life-long member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Rock Hill, where he was a member of the Barber-Hardin Sunday School Class and sometimes served as usher and board member.

In 1951 he married Martha “Bettye” Hinson of Charlotte.  They have been married for 72 years.  He was a charter member of the Rock Hill Country Club, and enjoyed golfing and being “Mr. Fix-It.”  He and his family spent many happy days vacationing at their house in Cherry Grove.  He was much loved by his family and all the family pets and grandpets.

He is survived by his wife and three children: Brenda (Jeff) Ethington of Spartanburg, S.C., Glenn Rawls of Columbia, S.C., and Michael Rawls of Moncks Corner, S.C.  He is also survived by nephew Stan (Donna) Rawls and nieces Dr. Carol Anne (Tom) McNellis and Rose Ann (Perry) Sansone,  Eli and Cindy Hinson of Spring, Texas. , as well as great-nephews, Ryan McNellis, Ben Sansone, great-nieces Caroline and Allie Sansone, great nephew Eli Hinson Jr. and great niece Laura Hinson.

He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings and their spouses:  Helen (Ed) Knight of Rock Hill, Betty (Carlisle) McCrorey of Chester, and Grady (Mary) Rawls of Rock Hill.  He was also predeceased by his great niece Lauren McNellis, great nephew Kelly Rawls, and Rea Hinson III.

Burial for Mr. Rawls will be at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Forest Hills Cemetery.  Services will follow at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Saint John’s United Methodist Church, 321 S. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill with Reverend Matt Yon officiating.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Memorials may be sent to St. John’s United Methodist Church, 321 S. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29730.