Mary Katherine (Kay) Barnett Rainwater

   Mary Katherine (Kay) Barnett Rainwater passed away in her sleep at the age of 96 at her residence in Dallas, Texas, on March 8, 2016.  She was born Sept. 18, 1919, in Paris, Texas.  Orphaned at age 13, she was raised, along with her younger brother, James, by her Aunt Trixie.  She graduated from Deport High School, Paris Junior College and the University of North Texas.
   She came to Vernon in 1940 as a teacher and taught English and home economics at Northside and Vernon High Schools.  She was a favorite teacher among her many students.
   She married Johnie Wayne Rainwater on July 11, 1942, when he returned on leave from the U.S. Navy.  She was an active member of the First Baptist Church and enjoyed Bible teaching.  She also enjoyed travel, working crossword puzzles, playing bridge and restoring a turn-of-the-century house on the McLennan Ranch in Brenham.  She was also a member of the Yamparika Club.  She and Johnie sponsored an exchange student from Italy in 1962.
   She is survived by her daughter, Jerry McLennan, of Brenham, Texas and her son, Lane B. Rainwater of Dallas; her grandchildren, Kyle Rainwater and his wife, Britt, and their son, Pierce; William Wayne McLennan and his daughter, Morgan; and Jill Cox, her husband, Jeremy, and their children, Chanley, Cameron and Christopher, all of Dallas.
   She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Johnie Wayne Rainwater.