Pauline Love Rabe

Pauline Love Rabe, born on February 22, 1932, in Coleman, Texas, was the daughter of William Lawson Love and Eatha Evelyn Waldrep. She married Marvin B. Rabe on September 10, 1949.

Pauline graduated from A.C. Jones High School in 1948. Together with her late husband, Marvin Rabe, she raised four children: Richard, Susan, Janet, and Clay. Pauline worked at Burrows Hardware for many years before serving as a high school secretary and Office Duplication instructor at A.C. Jones. In 1982, she commenced a career in real estate with Malcolm Slay, and in 1985, she founded Rabe Real Estate, LLC. She actively participated in the company until the age of 92. Pauline was a certified Real Estate Appraiser and held various leadership roles, including President of the Bee County Board of Realtors. She initiated the "Coats for Kids" program, which continues today under the Bee County Board of Realtors.

Pauline’s involvement with youth began as a Cub Scout Leader for her own sons and continued as a 4-H group leader. She served as President of the Pettus ISD Board of Trustees and was a member of the Pettus Youth Boosters, supporting the cause for 20 years. She was honored by the Bee County Junior Livestock and Homemakers Show for her dedication to the youth of our community in purchasing projects at the Special Sale. Additionally, she was a longtime supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of Beeville and received an Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree from the FFA.

As a dedicated member of the Pettus United Methodist Church, Pauline served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, taught Sunday School, and was Treasurer for over twenty-five years. She contributed to building a medical clinic in Mexico through her missionary work. Her volunteer efforts following Hurricane Harvey in Refugio County were highly appreciated, and she was recognized for her belief in the goodness of humankind. One of her later commitments included being an active member and Treasurer of the Bee County Habitat for Humanity.

Known affectionately as Mimi, Pauline cherished spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild, many of whom would learn to fish at her catfish tank and have so many fond memories with her there. She loved cooking meals for holidays and gatherings while sharing her famous top secret banana pudding, mint dazzler, and delicious chocolate sheet cake and of course giving wonderful blessings at each of these meals. She enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles at home and sewing quilts. Pauline was an exceptional role model known for her strength, independence, and kindness and would share words of wisdom such as “it is always easier to remember the truth.”

Pauline loved the outdoors, ensuring bird and squirrel feeders were always full and driving her John Deer Gator to her tank to feed the catfish and perch. Her well-known green thumb enabled her to grow giant oak and pecan trees on a caliche hill, vegetable and flower gardens while maintaining a beautiful yard, and of course mowing it herself. Pauline enjoyed fishing at her tank and the Nueces River with family. Despite not knowing how to swim, Pauline experienced adventures such as navigating Santa Elena Canyon, whitewater rafting down the Grand Canyon, and floating the rapids at Concan. She enjoyed a memorable trip to Alaska at the age of 82 with one of the many highlights reeling in huge halibut and salmon. Pauline was always ready for a new adventure with family and friends.

Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, William and Eatha Love; husband Marvin Rabe; sister-in-law Valena Love; and son-in-law Mike DiMaggio. She is survived by her brother William Love of Robstown; children Richard (Veadelia) of Normanna, Susan Rabe of Victoria, Janet DiMaggio of Pettus, and Clay (Dana) Rabe of Tuleta; grandchildren Wayne (Anna) Rabe, Shyla (Tony) Falk, Deric Rabe, Chelsy (Sam) Williams, Brent (Jerrad) Rabe, JB (Izela) Fox, Ferran (David) Ames, Trevor (Erica) Rabe, Alexandria (fiancé Silver) DiMaggio; great-grandchildren Preston (Nat) Rabe, Anthony DiMaggio, Caleb Able, Bianca Ames, Isabella Ames, Emma Steele, Olivia Williams, Charlee Rabe, Kyndall Rabe, Emery Williams, Luke Rabe; and great-great-grandchild Paisley Mae Rabe.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm on Friday, Jan. 31, at Oak Park Memorial Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Oak Park Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Wayne Rabe, Deric Rabe, Dr. Tony Falk, Dr. Sam Williams, Dr. Silver Avila, Randy Love, Brent Rabe and Trevor Rabe.

Honorary pallbearers are Preston Rabe, Anthony DiMaggio, Caleb Abel, David Chesnutt, Nelson Chandler, Bill Green, Tom Stockton, J.B. Fox, David Ames, Jimmy Fox, Johnny Profitt, Ellis McKinney, Hilario Chapa and Jerrad Stoddard.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Habitat for Humanity or Driscoll Children’s Hospital.

OAK PARK MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL

BEEVILLE, TEXAS

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