Dorothy “Wanda” Rawlings
Dorothy “Wanda” Rawlings, 93, of Bridgeport, went to be her Heavenly Father on Friday, May 8, 2026, in the United Hospital Center. She was born in Harman, WV on February 18, 1933, a daughter of the late Odus and Flakie Smith. Wanda was preceded in death by her first husband, Marvin Smith who she married on May 5, 1962. She was also preceded in death by her four sisters, Ella Mae Lambert and her husband Emmett; Opal Stevanus and her husband Pete; Dolores Ryder and her husband Cameron; and Annabelle McChesney; her brother, Charles Smith and her son-in-law, Danny Shepherd.
Wanda is survived by her children Marva Shepherd-Russell and her husband Roger Russell of Jane Lew, and Alvin Smith of Bridgeport; her grandchildren Breanna Fingernagel and her husband Chris; and Brenton Shepherd and his wife Brittany; her brother Carl Smith and his wife Goldie; a sister- in- law Hilda Smith and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Wanda graduated from Harman High School and Worked for C&P and Bell Atlantic Telephone for 38 years. She started first in Elkins as a cord board operator, then later moved to Bridgeport and worked at the Anmoore Storeroom as a drawing clerk. She enjoyed gardening, attending church functions, and spending time with her family.
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Clarence Edward Rawlings
Clarence Edward Rawlings born in Charleston, West Virginia on August 31, 1932 went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility. He is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Jane Affolter and Ronald Edgar Rawlings; his first wife, Ella Mae Rawlings; his son, Mark Edward Rawlings; and his brother, Bob Rawlings.
Clarence is survived by two of his children Pamela Allen and her husband John, Thomas Rawlings and his wife Patty, and his sister-in-law Norma Rawlings and her children Christopher Rawlings and Heather Rawlings Shivazad. He had five grandchildren Amber Loyacano and her husband Joe, Kara West and her husband Conrad, Noah Rawlings, Nicholas Rawlings and his wife Ashley, and Tabitha Rawlings. He also had eight great grandchildren Emma Loyacano, Fletcher West, Sullivan West, Zoey Rawlings, T.J. Rawlings, Ryan Rawlings, Emma Rawlings, and Bryson Rawlings.
Clarence was an Airman Second Class in the Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He received medals for Korean Service, United Nations Service, National Defense Service, and Good Conduct.
After his return from service, he married Ella Mae on November 19, 1955. Together they had three children. In the early 1960s they moved to Bridgeport, WV where Clarence was employed as a meat cutter at the Pure Food store where he worked his way up to manager and eventually owned the store. He was known for his welcoming nature and his handmade ham salad and cheese salad. People still ask for the recipe.
After the passing of their first spouses, Clarence and Wanda were married in July of 1990.
Upon retirement, he was active at Shepherd’s Corner and within his church community at Bridgeport Baptist. He was a faithful deacon and was given the title of Deacon Emeritus in 2018. You could usually find him at the hardware store or set up at the local Flea Markets making deals. He enjoyed working with his church family and being with his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews from both sides of his family. Clarence never met a person that he couldn’t make smile. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Visitation of Wanda and Clarence will be held at the Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport, on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 5-7pm, where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bridgeport Baptist Church (556 Worthington Drive Bridgeport WV 26330) or the West Virginia Nursing Facility Residence Fund (One Freedoms Way Clarksburg, WV 26301).
Burnside Funeral Home, Bridgeport