Elaine Works Rainey's Obituary
Elaine Works Rainey, devoted wife to Steve, selfless mother to Kathryn and Kelli, and loving Mimsy to Lainey, passed away peacefully June 23, 2016.
Born to Barney and Edith Works October 17, 1951, Elaine and her sisters enjoyed their childhood in Paris, TX, prior to moving to Longview in 1963. She graduated from Longview High School and Kilgore College and attended Stephen F. Austin State University. She married Steve Rainey on May 25, 1973, and together they enjoyed 43 years of raising two daughters, seeing the country, and developing special friendships with the people they encountered.
Elaine was a gifted musician and was active in the church choirs for Valley View Baptist Church, Mobberly Baptist Church, and First Christian Church of Longview. She played the piano and organ for Valley View for many years and most recently was a member of the First Christian handbell choir. She took special pleasure playing the piano for the Cornerstone Sunday School class at First Christian. Early in her adulthood, Elaine discovered her passion for impacting others through volunteer work. She was particularly enthusiastic about volunteering for her daughters’ schools, her churches, the East Texas Literacy Council, and the American Heart Association. Elaine was kind, helpful, fiercely loyal, incredibly generous, and endearingly goofy. She delighted in appreciating beautiful things, helping people in need, and enjoying new experiences.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Barney and Edith Works; father-in-law James Rainey; and beloved dogs, Arnie and Rex. Elaine’s life is celebrated by husband Steve of Longview; daughter Kathryn Rainey of Dallas; daughter and son-in-law Kelli and Joe Childress of Marshall; grandchildren Britney Childress, Brandon Childress, Zac Childress, and Lainey Childress; great-grandchildren Kaden and Keely Childress; mother-in-law Audrey Rainey; sister Hazel DeArmey and husband Cary; sister Wanda Moore; sister-in-law Becky Butler and husband Jerry; nieces and nephews Bill DeArmey, Scott DeArmey, Doug Moore, Christi Cullum, Trisha Wallace, Scott Butler, Elizabeth Camp, and Greg Butler; and an extended family of friends who know who they are, but are too numerous to list.
The family would be honored to have everyone whose life was touched by Elaine join them to celebrate her life on Wednesday, June 29 at 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Church in Longview. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home in Longview.
The family would like to thank the medical professionals who supported Elaine and her family during the last three months, including the teams at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview and Methodist Dallas Medical Center.
If you would like to make a memorial donation, the family asks that you consider the East Texas Literacy Council or First Christian Church of Longview, two organizations Elaine cherished.
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