Sara Rains

1930 - 2025

Sara Lee Rains of Fort Worth, Texas passed away Saturday, the 13th of September, 2025, in Austin, Texas. She was 95 years old. She was Adopted following the death of her birth mother by David E. and Lillian M. Kirkland and lived with them until the death of her adoptive mother. After this she was raised by her aunt and uncle, S.E. and Cleo McDaniel of Hempstead, Texas. The family later moved to Houston, Texas where Sara graduated from Lamar High School in 1948 and met and married Charles W. Rains in 1949. Charles preceded Sara in death.

Sara loved Texas and animals of all kinds. Her happiest summers were spent with her aunt and uncle, Claud and Josephine Benton on their dairy farm near San Antonio.

Sara and Charles remained in Houston until 1955 when they moved to Greensboro, North Carolina. Prior to moving, two sons were born, Kenneth C. Rains and Russell E. Rains. They returned to Houston in 1960, settling in the west side of town in Spring Branch.

Sara lived an active life both as wife and mother and through her part time role with the Spring Branch school district and participation in PTA, culminating in her role as district president. Following her children leaving home during the 1970's she stepped down from school and related work and reentered the work force serving in several secretarial positions which she had left behind when she and Charles moved to Fort Worth in 1979.

Sara excelled at and enjoyed interacting with people. For a number of years in Fort Worth she ran Elegant Statements, Inc., Jewelry (new business award winner 1983) where she worked alongside her longtime best friend and honorary sister Barbara Hoefner of Benbrook, Texas. She and Barbara continued to work together at her gift shop located in Brookdale City View.

Sara is survived by two sons, Kenneth C. Rains (Martha) of Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming; Russell Rains (Mary Ruof); and one granddaughter Anneka Elise Rains of Seattle Washington, as well as numerous nieces and nephews on the Rains side of the family, as well as long time friends Barbara Hoefner and Carolyn Ware. Rather than a formal funeral service, there will be a small celebration of her life with immediate family.