Jean Rainwater

Jean Lambert Rainwater, known affectionately by many as Jeanieweany, passed away on May 21, 2014 after completing her assignment of living a full life even in the face of pancreatic cancer. She stood firmly in the truth of God's great love and was supported by an army of family and friends throughout the journey. Jean was born on August 13, 1955 to Henry and Grace Lambert of Dallas, Texas. She grew up with 3 sisters and enjoyed horses, camping, water skiing, and adventures with friends. In 1973 she graduated from Highland Park High School, where she was involved with Young Life, a ministry to teens. Jean got her college degree from Texas Tech University, and her happiest discovery there was an introduction to her future husband, Don Rainwater. Together they participated in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where they learned the value of spiritual community and servant-leadership. Those early experiences with Young Life and InterVarsity set Jean on a path of leading small groups in bible discovery and prayer during the rest of her life. Don and Jean were married in Dallas in 1976 then lived in Phoenix, AZ, New Haven CT, and Lubbock, TX. After 10 years of marriage, they moved to Richardson TX, where they spent the next 27 years. They were blessed with 4 wonderful children: Jessica, Joel, Alicia, and Stephen. Raising them was Jean's proudest accomplishment as they brought her deep joy and became some of her closest friends. Her two grandchildren, Caleb and Avery, have been the cherries on top of a full and happy life. Some of her fondest young family memories included fellowship with many sweet friends from Community Bible Chapel and summers spent at Jan Kay Ranch. Once she became an empty nester, Jean discovered new treasures in life: a deeper bond with her beloved husband and new ministries that would help others discover freedom from the bondage of the past. She loved speaking to other women about being set free from small, fear-driven lives, as she aimed at Eleanor Roosevelt's advice to do one scary thing every day. As a prayer counselor, Jean facilitated thousands of inner healing sessions for fellow travelers who carried the pain of childhood events into their adult lives. Jean also participated in other ministries, such as The Open Table, Life Hurts-God Heals, and the local committee for Plano Young Life. She and Don led a life group at their church home, Chase Oaks Church where they have loved worshipping and serving since 2001. In recent years, Jean would refuel every week with a unique entourage of women who went by the nickname "Lady Church". These women leaders walked especially closely with Jean through her final months dealing with cancer, as they openly discussed the reality of heaven, fears of the unknown, and the mystery of knowing Christ as a personal friend and savior. It was from this group that Jean drew the inspiration for writing a short novel, which she completed 2 weeks before her diagnosis. Though yet to be published, it is the hope of her family and friends that it will someday be available for anyone who might be cheered, challenged, or healed by it. Jean's other writing ministry came about through weekly emails to her cancer support team. She shared her confident faith in Jesus, the One who she believed with all her heart and mind to be truly good, completely trustworthy, and immeasurably loving. Writing authentically about her honest struggle and incorporating a dry humor, she encouraged others to trust God more. Her favorite verse of scripture was Job 19:25-27, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (NIV) She looked forward to heaven with a joyful confidence, and invited others to do the same.Jean testified that cancer was a hard assignment, and not one she would have asked for because of the pain that her loved ones had to process. But it deeply intensified her love for God and all her friends and family as it helped prepare her for her "real life" to begin in heaven. Jean is survived by her loving husband Don Rainwater, children Jessica Schaller and her husband Rocky, Joel Rainwater and his wife Claire, Alicia Hanchin and her husband Timothy and Stephen Rainwater, grandchildren Caleb Andrew and Avery Joy Schaller, sisters Julie Lambert, Susan White and her husband Richard and Olivia Lambert , father in law Ken Rainwater, brother and sister in law Chuck and Charlotte Rainwater, nieces and nephews David Lambert, James Esely, Grace Cochran, Marley Cochran, Katie Rainwater and Jake Rainwater. She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Grace Lambert and mother in law Mildred Kay Rainwater. The family will receive friends for a visitation Monday, May 26, 2014 from 6:00- 8:00 PM at Chase Oaks Church, Legacy Room, 281 Legacy Dr., Plano, Texas 75023. A memorial service to celebrate Jean's life will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 11:30 AM at Chase Oaks Church. If desired, the family suggests contributions be made in Jean's name to Plano Young Life, 3201 W 15th St., Plano, Texas 75075.