Sheral M. Rainbolt

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  • Sheral M. Rainbolt
    Sheral M. Rainbolt
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Sheral M. Rainbolt, 77, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2020, at home in Mullin, after a brief illness. He was born July 13, 1942, in San Diego, California, as the first of three children to Sherman and Ruth Rainbolt. He graduated from Birdville High School in Fort Worth where the family lived at that time. He worked at Bell Helicopter while continuing his education at U. T. Arlington. Sheral met and soon married Juliette Rockafellow on December 21, 1963. For a brief time, he worked as an electrical engineer at Lockheed Martin. His dream was always to move back to Central Texas to be a good steward of the land and animals God would entrust to his care and to improve the earth as best he could. In 1970, Sheral moved his family to Mullin where he began farming and ranching. He enjoyed planting grasses for himself and for others. He supplemented his income by working for Rainbo Bread, Frito Lay, and BNSF Railroad. The family moved to Early while Renee attended middle and high school there. The ranch was always active, and Sheral took an active part in youth activities in the First Baptist Church of Early. He made many life-long friends and served as Mayor of Early for two terms, 1979 - 1983. In the fall of 1983, the family moved back to Mullin, and he started working at 3M in Brownwood and retired from 3M after 20 years.

Sheral was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Goldthwaite and led services at Hillview Nursing Home every Sunday morning for several years. He really enjoyed and appreciated his Sunday School Class of retired men for many years. He always enjoyed his devotional time as the sun came up each morning and then talking to his friends as the day began. He said, “I hope to leave this world a better place." Sheral was a member of the Mullin Masonic Lodge. He also worked many years on the FSA Board trying to get needed funds for farmers and ranchers in the area. He will be missed by his family and friends.

Sheral was preceded in death by his parents; a baby brother, Stevie Sherman Rainbolt; and a sister, Betty Carol Rainbolt Price. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Juliette; daughter, Renee Rainbolt Nickel and her husband, Richard Nickel; granddaughters, Carissa and Emily Nickel; nieces, Kim Lewis and Paula Maddux; numerous cousins; and brother-in-law, John Rockafellow and his family.

The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to Alpha Omega Hospice for their help and care. The family would also request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219; Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105; Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607; or to the donor's choice of charity.

Arrangements were under the direction of Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home in Goldthwaite, and burial was at the China Creek Cemetery in San Saba County.