Johnny Rawls

Johnny Rawls Jr. (1966-2025), known to friends and family as "John Boy" or "Johnny Ringo" (because who doesn't want a cowboy name?), has departed from this world in a manner befitting his hilarious and adventurous spirit. He passed away in beloved Desoto County, where he could often be found camping, fishing, and perhaps perfecting his BBQ judging skills (we all know judges deserve a little flavor).

For 35 glorious years, Johnny was married to his wife, Melissa, who must have a PhD in patience, considering she put up with his shenanigans all this time. Together, they were a dynamic duo seen tirelessly camping, dart-playing at Backtrack, and cooking up competition-quality BBQ that had the neighbors wondering if they were secretly running a gourmet restaurant out of their backyard.

Now, if there was one thing Johnny cherished almost as much as his lovely wife and BBQ – and we say “almost” because nothing could surpass those ribs – it was the great outdoors. Johnny was not just an ordinary heavy-duty rigger by trade; he was practically a human Swiss Army knife who played guitar and could pluck melodies right alongside the crickets on a summer night. If you found yourself jamming with him, you knew you were in for both a musical treat and a good belly laugh, thanks to his endlessly funny nature.

Johnny was a jokester at heart, a side-splitting friend, and would walk into any room with enough fervor to light up a Christmas tree. His siblings, Renea Russo and Tabby Berry, have plenty of inside jokes to reflect on – mostly ones that will forever remain between them and a slush of whiskey.

When it came to friendship, Johnny didn't just have best friends – he had best friends who were practically his second family. Eric Storey, Tim Steinberger, and Scott Feathers can all attest that adventure was never too far behind when Johnny was around. These three lured poor Johnny down pathways so wild that the mere thought of them could make a rollercoaster shy away in fear.

His beloved dog, fittingly named Baby Girl, will likely be the one leading the vigil for Johnny's personality. You see, while humans might outsmart Baby Girl in practical matters, she knew full well how to curry favor with Johnny when snack time rolled around!

Though we are sad to say farewell to this whimsical whirlwind of a man, his rich legacy of laughter, BBQ expertise, and unforgettable harmonies will linger in our hearts – and our taste buds – forever. So grab a shot of whiskey (a wink, wink to you, Johnny) and let’s celebrate the life of the man who taught us that laughter is best served alongside a plate of perfectly grilled ribs.

Visitation will occur on September 11, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Twin Oaks Memorial Garden & Funeral Home in MS, followed by a celebration of his life from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and concluding with a graveside service until 2:30 PM. We can only hope he stirs some BBQ smoke on the other side!