Elmo Rainey

Marshall “Elmo” Rainey, Jr, 87, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, passed away on Sunday, January 5th, 2025, at The Village at Olathe Memory Care in Olathe, Kansas, after many years of battling Alzheimer’s.

He was born October 25th, 1937, in Darlington, MO, to Marshall E. and Lulu I. (Stanton) Rainey. The family moved to Wichita, KS in 1941, and to Fall River, KS in 1943, finally settling in Berryton, KS in 1945.

Elmo graduated from Berryton High School in 1955 and went to work in the Freight Traffic department for A.T.S.F. Railroad in Topeka, KS. After 35 years of working for the railroad, he retired in 1990 as a Sr. Supervisor in the Accounting department. Throughout his younger years, Elmo was involved with the Berryton Kiwanis, President of the School Board for Berryton Elementary, and he had his own business plowing and mowing fields.

Elmo was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, until he moved to Bella Vista, AR in 1991, where he became a member of Bella Vista Community Church.

Elmo is survived by his wife of 14 years, Laura “Judy” B. Davis Rainey, Rogers, AR; his son Steven E. and daughter-in-law Lisa Rainey, Olathe, KS; his daughter, Sheralea M. and son-in-law Patrick Grimes also of Olathe, KS, and his brother Forrest L. and sister-in-law Carolyn Rainey of Overland Park, KS.

Grandchildren: Trish L. (Rainey) and husband Paul Johnson, great grandsons Garrett, Dalton and fiancé Kyla, Jeffrey and great- great grandson Colby. Megan L. (Rainey) Odegard, Olathe, KS, great grandsons Bryan, Jackson, Owen, and Wilson. Taylor M. (Grimes) and husband Desmen Williams, also of Olathe, KS, great grandson Azriel and great granddaughter Charleigh.

Along with many nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.

Elmo is preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Lulu Rainey, Rex E Rainey (brother), Joyce E. Worthington (sister). Donna M. Pagel (Rainey) Velasquez, (mother of his children), and Carolee W. (Suder) Rainey.

A celebration of Elmo’s life will be held in late spring/early summer in Topeka, KS.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local Alzheimer’s chapter. Donate

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