Virginia Bryant Rainwater

virginia rainwater

June 19, 1929 ~ August 26, 2023

Born in: Iuka, Mississippi
Resided in: Hughes Springs, Texas

Virginia Bryant Rainwater went to her heavenly home on August 26, 2023 at the age of 94. She was born June 19, 1929 in Iuka, Mississippi to Mamie Lee Jordan and Claude L. Bryant. She graduated from Central High School in Jackson, Mississippi. It was in Jackson that she met David Harold Rainwater who worked at a local grocery store, and they married on June 29, 1947. Harold continued in the grocery business, managing stores in Louisiana until moving to Hughes Springs, Texas, where he and Virginia made their permanent home and raised five boys. When her boys were all old enough for school, Virginia worked as the secretary to the Hughes Springs High School principal. Her dream was to attend college so she could become an elementary teacher. So, as a wife and mother with a full-time job, she attended Texas A&M-Texarkana and earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education. She taught fourth grade and was employed with the Hughes Springs ISD for 24 years.

Virginia was very active in the Hughes Springs community. She was a member of the Sesame Literary Club, Red Radiance Garden Club, the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, and Hughes Springs Retired School Employees Association. In 2014, the Hughes Springs Chamber of Commerce honored Virginia with the Crystal Globe Award for Lifetime Achievement for her work in the community.

Virginia was a member of the Hughes Springs First Baptist Church where she was active in the church music program, serving as the church organist for more than forty years. She also participated in Young at Heart, Homemaker’s Sunday School Class, Women on Mission, and taught and played piano for children’s Sunday School classes and Vacation Bible School.

Virginia enjoyed life. She loved to travel. She loved reading, playing games (especially Chicken Trail), watching Jeopardy, laughing with her friends, and spending time with family. She made many beautiful needlework creations for her friends and family.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harold Rainwater, her sons Jeffrey Rainwater and David Rainwater, her grandsons David Edwin Rainwater and Christopher Wadding, and her sister Carolyn Phillips. She is survived by her sons Steve Rainwater (Marian) of Tyler, Rick Rainwater (Nancy) of Bedford, and Russell Rainwater of Daingerfield as well as daughter-in-law Barbara Rainwater of South Lake Tahoe, California. She is also survived by her sister Winifred Butler of Folsom, Louisiana, by grandchildren Jennifer Halligan, Greg Rainwater, Stephen Rainwater, Kyle Rainwater, Ashley Landry, Brian Rivers, Michelle Barker, and Natalie Johnson, and by great-grandchildren Lucy, Emma, Lexi, Drew, Samantha, Reed, Malakai, Maverick, and Presley as well as her almost daughter (of the heart) Beth Lollar. In addition, she is survived by several nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

The family thanks the staffs of Oakwood House Assisted Living Center in Marshall, Brookdale East Assisted Living Center in Tyler, and Hospice of East Texas for their loving care of Virginia during the last years of her life.

A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Hughes Springs. There will be a time of visitation with the family starting one hour prior to the service at the same location. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Hughes Springs Area Foundation, The Children and Youth Programs at First Baptist Church of Hughes Springs, or Hospice of East Texas in Tyler.

 

 

Services

Visitation: September 9, 2023 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

First Baptist Church of Hughes Springs
302 E 3rd St
Hughes Springs, TX 75656


Funeral Ceremony: September 9, 2023 2:00 pm

First Baptist Church of Hughes Springs
302 E 3rd St
Hughes Springs, TX 75656


Cemetery:

Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery
1213 Hanes Blvd. South
Hughes Springs, Texas 75656


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  1. I am so sorry about your Mom! She was an amazing Woman!!! Mrs. Virginia was so special to my family . She and your Dad were some of my Mom and Dad’s best friends. Kermit and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers! God Bless You!!!❤️

  2. Candle 5Mrs. Rainwater served as an example of goodness and service throughout her life to all of us from Hughes Springs. May she rest in peace. With love

  3. Candle 5Sweet lady who touched many lives at FBC & HSISD. Fond memories of her and growing up with her boys. God bless. A mother’s passing is hard.

  4. Mrs. Rainwater was such a devoted part of our church family for so many years. Our sincere sympathy to all of the family.

  5. Candle 8Whay a wonderful Christian woman! May you find comfort to know she had a full life and gave her all.🌹

  6. Mrs. Rainwater was a wonderful, loving woman and teacher. She was a joy to be around and loved to share that joy. We will keep her family in our prayers.

  7. Candle 2Mrs. Rainwater was a very sweet, loving, and compassionate 4th grade teacher. I was very fortunate to be in her home room class. She always made you feel special and treated everyone the same. Thank you for being you, and the best 4th grade teacher at Hughes Springs. Condolences to the family and friends of
    Mrs. Rainwater. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾


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