Louise Rainwater

Frances Louise Sharp was born November 8, 1914, in rural Clarks County Arkansas to Metro Sharp and Hazel Milam Sharp. Louise, as her many friends and relatives knew her, described her childhood as unhappy as mother and father struggled to keep employment and generally they lived in poverty. While Louise’s early sorrows never occupied much of her conversations, it is clear it provided the spark for a lifelong endeavor to improve the conditions of all those around her through determination, faith and love of life. Her journey that span a hundred years touched so many lives. And her accomplishments were supported by very meager means but still resulting in significant results. She was saved and baptized 4 times during her life time and last joined the Liberty Baptist Church March 13, 1964 baptismal records showed. She was the oldest of five brothers Garland Sharp, George, Bill, Norman and Charles Stanley. And two sisters: Bernice her youngest sister who lived with the family from early teens to adulthood, and Dora Lee. All of her siblings preceded her in death. Her husband of forty three years, Arlis Rainwater passed February 1st, 1979. Married in 1936, their only child, Michael Rainwater, a resident of Regency Park, was whom she lived with these past 9 years. She is also four nieces, Joann Rainwater, Linda Logan and Anna Louise Frink, Melinda Stanley, and Rhonda Wimpey. And also three nephews: Johnny Sharp, Rick Wimpey and Rocky Lee. And she is also mourned by adopted grandson, Jacob who also lived and helped care for her these past years. She was much loved by the many friends and students of the three public schools she worked during her lifetime. And also by the many friends and fellow workers and hundreds of admirers of her while employed the advertising promotions dept of Sams. Her last year of part time employment with Sams, she was both their oldest employee nation-wide, and employee of the month several times that year. Louise also came to know lent her compassion to so many residents of Regency Park while her son has served as homeowner’s president she was like another board member. Only in these last years of her life did Louise’s body show the effects of time and not demonstrate youthfulness and tireless energy to cause such as PTA president, developing the 1st preschool breakfast program for needy children in Oklahoma, and supporting her husband’s many endeavors and causes. On November 8th, 2014, she celebrated her 100th birthday. That evening the years had began to show on her face but still she met and conversed with her guest for many hours. Her remarkable mind was still quite clear but progressively her body grew weaker the past 12 months. Her faith in god’s salvation never wavered but she feared only for the loss of being able to spend time with those she loved. Friday night, October 9th, 2015, was a quiet evening with little going on. There were no wars to fight, no picket lines to hold, crowds to greet or dinners to make, so as evenings darkness fell, god called home one of his chosen people. Her special talents were many and her love for everyone she meet was known; but in those final moments, those of us she left behind were sad to see her go but also so thankful of all she gave us and what a wonderful person she was to know. Celebration of Life service will be 6:00 P.M., Friday, November 6, 2015 at Regency Park Nazarene Church, 8707 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Moore’s Southlawn 918-663-2233

Louise Rainwater

November 8, 1914 - October 9, 2015