Virginia R. Rauschenberg

Virginia R. Rauschenberg, age 90, of Gatesville passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Funeral services will be at 2:00PM, Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be following the service. Interment will be at Restland Cemetery. Virginia, affectionately known as Ma to her many family, friends and acquaintances, was born October 5, 1922 in what was the Ewing community located within what is now present day Ft. Hood. She married Joe Bailey Rauschenberg, the love of her life, on September 27, 1942. They cherished 42 years together of family, farming, ranching and always being together. Virginia was employed by the United Gulf States Telephone Company for many years as an operator in the early days of party lines and she loved to let people know she was a retired telephone switchboard operator. The First United Methodist Church of Gatesville was a special place for Virginia where she loved celebrating Christ and meeting friends and family for many years. Even though her health kept her away the past few years, her mind and spirit were always committed to her church and that she wished she could be assisting others in need. Later in life, Virginia and Joe Bailey opened and operated the Dutch Pantry Donut Shoppe in Gatesville, where she loved to serve her fare, drink coffee, and share conversation, particularly political in nature, with her many friends and any customer who may walk through the door. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Laura Annie Powell; her husband, Joe Bailey Rauschenberg; a son, Joe Pat Rauschenberg; four sisters; and three brothers. She is survived by one grandson, Dustin Rauschenberg and wife, Teri of Dallas Center, Iowa; four great-granddaughters, Laura, Sarah, Hannah, and Emma; and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Gatesville, 2600 E. Main, Gatesville, TX 76528.