Ethel Rainwater

Cheraw, SC

Ethel Anne Furr Rainwater, 78, Monday, December 15, 2014. Born in Cheraw, SC she was the daughter of the late Eddie K. and Lula H. Furr. She grew up in a loving family, the youngest of five. Ethel attended Cheraw High School, she attended college later in life, graduating with honors from Coker College (BA in Business) 1995. Ethel was a purchasing manager at both Burlington Industries and Waverly Mills. She had served as Program Chair and Membership Chair of the National Association of Purchasing Managers.

Ethel loved and embraced life. She was many things to many people – a servant of the church, and loving mother, a loyal friend.  Her passions included her faith, family and friends. She was our go-to person for cooking tips and recipes, an all-weather running partner, and avid collector of books and ideas.

She is survived by her children James “Jim” P. Rainwater of Florence, SC and Anne Elizabeth Rainwater Strange of Birmingham, AL; nieces Linda Johnson White and Jo Anne Butler, and nephews Olin Leslie Johnson, Ray Manning Kelly, James Edward Kelly, Sr. Jackie Farrell Furr and Tony Cecil Butler.

She was preceded in death by her parents listed above and a son, William “Bill” F. Rainwater, Jr.

A funeral service will be held 1:00 PM, Friday, December 19, 2014 at Cheraw First Baptist Church, followed by a short visitation in the family life center of the church. Burial will be in Chatham Hill Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to: McLeod Hospice House, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502.

Visit kiserfuneralhome.com to send an e-condolence.