Verzella Jean McGill Rainwater, 87, died August 23, 2026 in Denison, Texas. Verzella was born on September 1,1938 in Oakland, Okla. to J.B. and Lorene McGill. She graduated from Madill High School in 1956 as Salutatorian of her class. She spoke fondly of her childhood with her two older sisters and enjoyed growing up in a small town.
She graduated with honors from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1959. It was at SOSU that she met and married William Howard Rainwater, her husbandof61yearsuntilhisdeathin2019. They were a dynamic team, supporting each other and pouring their love and energies into family, friends, and strangers.
Her educational endeavors included a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters of Science in Education. She taught in Westminster, Calif.; Perry, Okla.; and Denison, Texas. Her years of service to the students of Denison were spent at McDaniel Junior High, Central Elementary and her last 15 years at Terrell Elementary. She poured her gifts into the children and mentored younger teachers until 1993, when she retired to care for her parents.
Verzella and Howard moved to Denison, Texas in 1968 when Howard joined the faculty at Grayson County College. Verzella was the ultimate mother to her daughters, and as her family grew, she embraced her sons-in-law as much-loved sons. Verzella was “Grammy” to her four grandchildren and delighted in each of them. She was their advocate and biggest supporter, enjoying all their activities from birth through their college years. It was always an adventure to gather at Grammy and Pops’ home.
She modeled a life of faith, service to others, eagerness to learn and a joy of life. She volunteered through PTA, Camp Fire Girls and numerous community and education organizations. She and Howard loved and served their church family, Armstrong Avenue Church of Christ which became Park Avenue Church of Christ. Always a student of the Bible, she enthusiastically taught all ages the truths God was teaching her. Her love for Jesus was shared in ministry, missions and prayer groups throughout her lifetime.
In all her roles as a daughter, sister, wife, sister-in-law, aunt, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, educator, mentor and friend, Verzella was known for her humble, servant leadership, gracious spirit and steadfast dedication. Her deep compassion and concern for those in need was evident to all. Reliance on prayer and God’s wisdom characterized her life and blessed all who knew her.
Verzella was preceded in death by her parents, J.B. and Lorene McGill; sisters, Jimmie Barber Brown and Joy Willis; in-laws, W.H. and Ethel Rainwater; and husband, Howard Rainwater.
She is survived by her daughters, Rachel McClure and husband,Basil,ofDenison;andElaineOrr,andhusbandJim, ofMcKinney;grandsons,JoshuaMcClure,MatthewMcClure, Caleb Orr and wife Gabby Orr; granddaughter Kay Ann Orr Mann and husband Conner; great granddaughters, Poppy Orr and Lily Orr; great grandson, Andrew Mann; brother and sister-in- law, Fred and Jenny Rainwater; nephews, Jeff Rainwater and wife Sandra, Greg Rainwater and wife Anna and Brad Barber and wife Angie; and several great nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 21 at 10:00 at Park Avenue Church of Christ, Denison.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Park Avenue Church of Christ, Howard Rainwater Endowed Scholarship Grayson College, Abilene Christian University, and Casa de la Esperanza.