ENFIELD, Conn.- Earline Rabb, 73, of Enfield, Conn. passed away Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010 surrounded by her loving family.

Daughter of the late David and Fannie (Thames) Rabb, she was born in Freemanville on April 12, 1937. She was one of nine children growing up on the family farm in rural Alabama. In 1959, she came to Connecticut to be closer to her family and settled in Enfield. She worked in meat packing and processing for Hartford Provisions until her retirement in September of 1996.

In her retirement, Earline cared for her great nieces and nephews and enjoyed shopping and traveling with her sisters. She was a very talented cook whose specialties included friend chicken, collard greens and many other homemade and mouth-watering recipes.

Earline was a faithful member of Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Alabama and St. John Church in Springfield, Mass. Her generous and hospitable nature was constant and she always placed the needs of her family and friends far above her own. She was a friendly and gracious lady who will be missed in the Enfield and Springfield communities.

Those left to treasure Earline’s memory include, her three sons, Freddy L. Rabb (Claudette) of Springfield, Mass., Gregory Allen Rabb (Eman Saleh) of Enfield, and Anthony D. Rawlins (Monica) of Springfield; a special step-son, Anthony Carrington of Springfield, Mass.; two nephews, Michael Rabb of Tenn. and Norris Rabb of Stamford; two nieces, Patricia Rabb-Silva of Bloomfield and Sheila Rabb-Spicer of Enfield; a brother, Willie Rabb (Hattie) of Hartford; an aunt, Barnetta Williams of Atmore; two sisters, Merline Rabb of Enfield and Veronica Rabb of Atlanta, Ga.; 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Four brothers, David Rabb, Jr., Henry C. Rabb, R.S. Rabb, and R.C. Rabb, sister, Gloria Cille Witter, preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 22 at Mount Gillard Baptist Church in Atmore. Burial follow at the Rabb Family Cemetery in Freemanville.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.