Dora Virginia (Zombro) Rawlings

Dora Virginia (Zombro) Rawlings, 85, of Shepherdstown, WV, passed away May 20, 2025 at the Spirit Mountain Hospice House in Cody, WY.

Dora was born in Shepherdstown, WV on August 1, 1939 to George and Nellie Mae Zombro. She graduated in the Shepherdstown High School Class of 1957 and remained a loyal member of its alumni “Lunch Group.” Dora married James Albert Watson in 1957 and her son, Gregory B. Watson, was born in 1958.

In 1972, she married Norval “Ed” Rawlings, an accountant, and they lived and worked in Charles Town, WV. Dora was the Jefferson County Deputy County Assessor for 31 years. She was a leader in the Order of the Eastern Star and was a support to her husband when he felt called to be a lay pastor in the Presbyterian Church, USA. For several years their Sundays were spent driving and ministering to isolated WV mountain churches.

In 2004, Dora and Ed retired to Ocala, FL where they enjoyed golf, bowling and traveling to Disneyland with friends. Dora, being Dora, continued to work as a pharmacy technician at Publix. The two became active in the Timber Ridge Community Church, Dunnellon, FL and for several years served together as the church treasurer. In 2018, Ed passed from the compli-cations of Alzheimer’s.

In 2020, Dora began the last adventure of her life. She and her much loved dog, Zip, moved to Cody, WY, outside Yellowstone Park, to be near her son and his wife. Although her health was deteriorating from battling blood cancer and heart disease, she found the strength to enjoy her new home: days in her sunny garden, feeding birds, and enjoying lunch at the library cafe. Dora continued to “trust in the Lord with all her heart” and died anticipating the joy of seeing her Savior’s face.

She is survived by her son, Gregory B. Watson and Rebecca W. Watson of Cody, WY, her brother Max Zombro and Daryl Zombro of Boerne, TX, and her nephew (son of her sister Nelda), Collin Craig and Carolyn Craig and grandniece Cayla Craig of Afton, VA. She will be buried with her husband in the Pleasant View Memory Gardens in Kearneysville, WV.

Arrangements have been handled by Ballard Funeral Home in Cody. Condolences are welcome at www.ballardfh.com.