Bilal Mohamed Rabai

Bilal Mohamed Rabai, age 61, of Watkinsville, Georgia, passed from this earth to heaven on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. He was in the middle of a brave recovery from heart surgery. His last days were filled with love and hope for the future.

The first child of Amneh Kobeissi and Mohamed Rabai, Bilal was born on October 11, 1958, in Bo, Sierra Leone, West Africa. He was educated at boarding school in Lebanon and then joined his family’s business in the Central African Republic. In 1989, he married Mary Stedwill and immigrated to Toledo, Ohio. Bilal became a Registered Nurse, BSN and later earned his MSN and MBA degrees. During his career, he and his family also lived in Winchester, Virginia; Hudson, Ohio; Chanhassen, Minnesota; and finally settled in Watkinsville, where Bilal was Director of Surgical Services at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, Georgia, for the last seven years.

Bilal was the loving husband of Mary. He was the calm big brother of siblings Samir (Lama), Suzanne (Hussein), and Ghozaya. He was the devoted father of Hadi (Fafi), Nour (Carol), Stephen, Jeffery, Jacob, Amani, André, and Jean-Luc. Bilal’s great joy was spending time with his five grandchildren, Alissar, Mila, Naia, Elliana, and Reign.

Our family is grateful for the skill, dedication, and compassion of Bilal’s colleagues at St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospice House. Because of the current health emergency, there will be a graveside burial for the immediate family only. Our grief joins that of so many people throughout the world who have lost their loved ones during this time. We are comforted by our family, our friends, and by God’s strength that never, ever goes away.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com