Avie James Jimmy Rainwater Jr. died on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at McLeod Hospice after suffering a cerebral aneurism. A Celebration of Life service will be held 4 p.m. today at Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home. Mr. Rainwater was born July 12, 1929, in Florence to the late A.J. Rainwater Sr. and Madge Timmons Rainwater. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Leila Drake Rainwater; two children, Christelle Rainwater Conner and Dr. Avie Rainwater III, and their spouses Darrell L. Conner Jr. and Karen Gadberry Rainwater; as well as six grandchildren, Dal Conner, Drake Conner and Christopher Conner, and Dr. Chelsea Rainwater, Seth Rainwater and Joshua Rainwater. He also leaves a sister, Everal Rainwater DeWitt and is predeceased by his brother, Robert R. Rainwater and brother-in-law, Sam DeWitt. Mr. Rainwater was a 1950 graduate of The Citadel and a member of the Summerall Guards. Subsequently, he served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force before returning to Florence to run the family business, Rainwater Gas and Oil Company. In the late 1950s he entered the mortgage and construction business. By the early 1960s, Mr. Rainwater saw the social and economic conditions in the South were changing and he proceeded to develop the first mortgage-financed subdivision in eastern South Carolina to be marketed to the black community, Spaulding Heights in Florence. After his Christian conversion in 1972, Mr. Rainwater was invited to serve on the Board of Directors of Logos International Publishing Company. In the following years, he traveled widely in support of Christian missions throughout the world, including trips to Asia, Europe, Israel and Latin America. During his life, Mr. Rainwater started and managed several businesses and maintained a lively interest in business, financial and world affairs while being an avid reader as well. However, his most significant legacy is one of enthusiastic service to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As said in Romans 10:15, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either of the following: The Kings Academy at 1015 S. Ebenezer Road, Florence, SC 29501 or to Wycliffe Bible Translators at: www.wycliffe.org. Tags: 1950
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