If you would like to view the celebration for Jo Ann you may go to Dan Rainey's Facebook page.

Jo Ann Rainey went home to her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 with her family at her bedside.

Jo Ann, born April 12, 1951 in Altus, Oklahoma, came from very humble beginnings.  Her great aunt and uncle, a sweet old couple who always wanted a little girl, welcomed Jo Ann into their home with excitement and joy. They nicknamed her Sallie Ann.   She quickly became the apple of her daddy's eye, and he passed along his sense of humor to his girl. She could find the humor in almost any situation.  She was on the cradle roll at First Baptist Church, Shamrock, Texas, where she grew and was active in all aspects of the church and community service. She attended Sunday School, the children's music programs, church summer camps, and participated in Rainbow Girls. Music was always one of her greatest joys. As early as 12 years old, she began to play the piano for evening church services and choral programs.  Her love for playing piano and singing traditional church music carried into her adulthood, including at local nursing homes and events with a Southern Gospel quartet.

Jo Ann hired on with Southwestern Bell in 1972, retiring after 41 years.  During her early years at the phone company, she met the love of her life, Dan Rainey.  They married and raised their family in Wylie, where all four of the kids went to school and graduated.

Jo Ann's love for travel, especially cruising, took her to many places around the world. However, she found her greatest joy in serving others. Some of her favorite memories of service included chaperoning and cooking for her kids' youth mission trips and painting hospitals in Israel. More recently, she stayed involved in the Senior Adult ministry at FBC Wylie, delivered food to shut-ins, managed one of the food preparation teams, helped decorate for Happy Circle, and led a food team for funeral meals. Having served and loved the Lord most of her life, she'd made a total surrender to the Lord when she was in her 30s, and humbly served Him throughout her life. Her spirit of service extended to the Wylie community, as evidenced by her work with the Rebuild Wylie campaign following the hailstorm of 2016.After leading the committee to financially and emotionally meet the needs of hundreds of families, she and her husband, Dan, were honored to receive the Community Ethics Award by the Rotary Club of Wylie in 2018.

Jo Ann had several close friends who journeyed with her daily as she navigated the hard walk through cancer-- Patricia Parrish, Carol Sue Newsom, Shirley Mote, Liz Allen and Clare Jackson who had driven from Alabama to spend a week with Jo Ann while she was visiting family and friends, plus the church staff at FBW Wylie.  Jo Ann leaned on and received incredible support from these friends, and countless others, who faithfully sent cards, delivered gifts, brought meals, visited at home and hospital, went with her to appointments, and prayed. Her relationships helped make her days more peaceful, hopeful, and laced with joy.Jo Ann was preceded in death by parents, Charlie, and Sallie Hager and Gladys Cain, and Grandmother Annie Davis.  She's survived by beloved husband of 44 years, Dan Rainey; children - Shelley and Keith Brooks of Cypress, Texas; Shawnna and Dave Helmburger of Sachse, Texas; Daniel and Dawn Rainey of Royce City, Texas, and Kevin and Holly Rainey of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Nine grandchildren.  Brothers and sisters-in-law -- Eddie and Charlotte Rushing of Heath, Texas; Rocky and Nancy Cain of Perryton, Texas, Nieces, Nephews and Many Friends.

A celebration of Jo Ann's life with be held on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at First Baptist Wylie.

In lieu of flowers, please send any gifts to First Baptist Wylie ( https://www.fbw.church/give/ ). By selecting "Fund/Other", you will be able to include a Memo: Jo Ann Rainey Benevolence Contribution, a cause dear to Jo Ann's heart.

During this time of COVID-19 the family asks for your safety and the safety of others to please wear a mask while attending Jo Ann's Celebration of Life.