Johnnie J. Rainwater

Johnnie Juanita Olvera Rainwater, born on March 31, 1949, passed away on December 8, 2024, at the age of 75. A devoted and loving woman, Johnnie will be remembered for her fun-loving spirit, kind heart, helpful nature, and unwavering patriotism.

Johnnie graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1967 and joined the U.S. Army that same year, beginning a remarkable decade of service to her country. Stationed at Ft. Hood and later deployed to Vietnam, Johnnie rose through the ranks in Military Intelligence, earning numerous honors, including two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Gold Star, in recognition of her bravery and dedication. Following her return, she served an additional two years in the National Guard before transitioning to a life of service in education.

Returning to her alma mater in Rock Springs, Johnnie found a passion for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), helping countless students overcome language barriers and achieve their goals. In the mid-1990s, she moved to Houston, where she continued her impactful work at Alief ISD's Killough Middle School until her retirement.

Johnnie is survived Lovingly by Patricia Nieto, and her mother, Inocencia Perez. She is also survived by her cherished sisters, Maria Olvera and Ruth Wisdom of San Angelo, Texas, and Martha Smart of Chandler, Arizona, along with many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and two dear brothers-in-law. She was deeply connected to her extended family, including Rachel Anderson, Erica, Jarrod, Elena, and Jacob Harris, as well as Tiffany Guillory, Sarahi and Lylah Tavitas, Estevan and Chastity Carrillo-Hernandez, Christian Carrillo, Frank Jr., Eva, and Frank III Carrillo, Roseanna, Raul Jr., and Alianna Carrillo, and many more.

She was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, her father, Severo Nieto Olvera, and her sisters, Noemi Olvera (she was an infant when she passed) and Severa Yarborough.

A rosary will be held on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025 at 10:30 a.m with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. at St Justin Martyr Catholic Church,13350 Ashford Point Dr. Houston, Texas 77082. A Committal Service will be held at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr Houston, Texas 77038 at 1:15 p.m.