Katie H. Rawlings

Katie Huffman Rawlings died unexpectedly from natural causes at her residence on Friday, September 19, 2025. She was only 48 years old. Her family is shocked and saddened by her passing, but equally resolute in their commitment to build upon the foundation she set in developing her three boys - Will, Jay, and Grant - into outstanding young men.

Katie was born on June 13, 1977, at King’s Daughters Hospital in Staunton, VA, the daughter of Cindy Jarvis (Ballew) and Robert Kline Huffman III. She was joined by a little brother, Robert Wesley (Wes) Huffman, a few years later.

Katie created many of her fondest memories as a child playing with her brother Wes and two cousins, Todd Earhart and Amy (Earhart) Piner, at Bill and Mary Ann Ballew’s farm and Patti and Ronnie Earhart’s house on Mount Ida Lane in Mint Spring.

As the proud daughter of a coach, Katie excelled in volleyball and softball at Fort Defiance High School. Years after her playing days were finished, she loved to share stories of her dad’s unreasonable expectations as a coach; it was her way of saying how much she cherished their shared accomplishments.

Katie’s commitment to volleyball was rewarded with a Division I scholarship. She was deservedly proud of her status as a scholarship recipient and made lifelong friendships at Campbell University. Ultimately, a knee injury ended her volleyball career and the extremely religious school (“they have boys’ and girls’ sidewalks here, I’m not kidding…”) was not for her; and Katie transferred to Virginia Tech, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and became a lifelong Hokie.

Following graduation, Katie moved to the Washington, DC area for a few years. However, between the September 11 tragedies, the DC sniper episode, and her disdain for traffic jams, she decided city life was no longer for her, and she moved back to the Shenandoah Valley before ultimately establishing roots in Central Virginia. Whether it was her time in the DMV, or just her fondness for arguing, Katie loved to talk politics, particularly telling her mother, brother and Aunt Sandra Ballew just how wrongheaded she thought they were.

Katie’s life changed in 2003 when she met her husband, Mike Rawlings. The two were married in 2005. Katie and Mike enjoyed many adventures, including going to football games, Jimmy Buffet concerts, and fantastic vacation destinations, before they welcomed Will, their first child in 2007, followed by Jay in 2009, and Grant in 2012.

Katie was a devoted mother to her three boys. From the everyday tasks of raising children to big adventures, such as trips to Disney World and Great Wolf Lodge, Katie measured her happiness by her children’s happiness, a telltale sign of a great parent.

The only teams Katie loved more than the Hokies were those where her sons were playing. Whether it was the highly skilled travel teams or rec league pee wee teams, Katie was their biggest fan, as evidenced by trips throughout the state and country for AAU basketball and her foray into youth soccer coaching despite having never played or even watched the sport.

An interest in sports came most naturally to Katie, but her happiness was really about watching her children do, and potentially excel at, the things they love. She loved nothing more than supporting her children in athletics, music, and drama, among other things. She absolutely cherished the trips to and from games, performances, practices, lessons, and rehearsals. Nothing brought her more joy.

In addition to being a devoted mother, Katie will be remembered for the love she shared as a daughter, sister, family member, and friend. She loved to spoil her nieces, Becca and Maggie Huffman; and she was particularly close with her “cousin-nieces” Abby and Sarah Piner, as well as her “cousin-nephews” Eli and Alex Earhart. She was also extremely close with Lannie and Suzanne White, and the family would like to recognize their extraordinary friendship.

Katie is survived by her three sons, Will Rawlings (18), Jay Rawlings (15), and Grant Rawlings (13); Mike Rawlings, her husband of 20 years; her mother and stepfather, Cindy and Kevin Jarvis; her brother and sister in-law, Wes and Stephanie Huffman; her nieces, Becca and Maggie Huffman; her sister and brother in-law, Lauren Jarvis and Tom Uption; her brother and sister in-law, Chris and Jessica Jarvis; and her niece Eva.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Kline Huffman, III; and a special cousin, Todd Earhart.

The family will receive guests at Mint Spring United Methodist Church from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Mint Spring United Methodist Church in Staunton. The family will welcome guests for a brief reception immediately following the service at the church.

Honorary pallbearers include Danny Meyers, Emilie Meyers, Randy Huffman, Erica Huffman, Shirley Matherly, John Matherly, Lannie White, Suzanne White, Nathan Hartley, Kelly Guertin, and Tim Guertin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mint Spring United Methodist Church (Katie Rawlings Memorial Fund, Mint Spring United Methodist, P.O. Box 14, Mint Spring, VA 24463 or the American Heart Association (P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692).