October 18, 1920 ~ August 16, 2017
Johnnie M. (Epperson) Rains passed away peacefully on August 16, 2017. She was born October 18, 1920 in Springfield, Mo. to Ethel Gray and John Henry Epperson. The family moved to Tulsa in 1922 then to Christie in 1935 where she attended Westville High School. It was there she met George Kenneth Rains and they eloped on April 22, 1939.
While Kenneth served in World War II, Johnnie lived and worked in Tulsa. Upon his return, they moved to Stilwell. There they opened the OTASCO store which they operated for nearly 30 years, until their retirement in 1975. Johnnie was very active in many organizations including Soroptimist Club, Eastern Star and especially the First Methodist Church. After Kenneth's death in 2000, she moved back to Tulsa where she enjoyed many family members and friends.
She is survived by two daughters, Kay Smith and her husband, Jerry, Cherylle Anderson, and her husband, Don, and one son, Ken Rains, and his wife, Peggy, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church, Stilwell.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Kids Backpack Program. Make checks payable to the Adair County Resource Center, and in the Memo Line write Backpack Program. The address is Adair County Resource Board, Food for Kids Backpack Program, PO Box 547, Stilwell, OK 74960.