The Reverend Roland William Rainwater, Jr., 93, died February 23, 2013 in Columbia, South Carolina. Born October 29, 1919 in Rockingham, NC, he was a son of the late Roland W. and Sally Dawkins Rainwater. Roland was a graduate of Louisburg College, Wofford College, Duke University Divinity School and later attended Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA where he received a second Masters of Divinity. His years of ministry were focused on the belief that all people, regardless of race or creed should be allowed to worship together in God's House. His contribution to the civil rights cause was significant and continued as a major direction of his ministry. Roland was known and appreciated for his compassionate funerals, moving prayers, thought-provoking sermons and his respect for the human dignity of all people.

Following his chaplaincy in the US Navy during WWII in the Pacific Theater, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Roland served five churches on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He then became Dean of Men at his alma mater, Louisburg College. It was during that time Roland met his wife, Zillah. They married on August 27, 1947 and she joined him as his faithful partner in pastoral parish work.
He served churches in Apex, NC; Duke University Chapel, Durham, NC; Richmond, CA; Gallatin, TN; Columbia, TN; and Sherman, TX.

Roland then felt called to provide ministry to individuals in mental health settings and prepared for this at the Houston Medical Center. His first position in pastoral care was in Goldsboro, NC. In 1975, he joined the William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute in Columbia, SC as the Teaching Chaplain. Then in 1983, Roland joined the staff at Tucker Center as Chief Chaplain and Director of Ancillary Services. In 1988, he returned to Hall Psychiatric Institute as Chief Chaplain. He was a certified Supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education Programs where he trained lay persons, seminary students and active pastors. He was named chairman of research of the Southeastern Region for Clinical Pastoral Education.

After his retirement in 1993, Roland maintained an active membership in the New Hope Presbytery in North Carolina and remained a lifelong member of a group of theologians who explored theological/societal issues of the 21st century. Also during his retirement, Rev. Rainwater was the president of his neighborhood association where he and other residents were able to keep their vicinity safe from a highway exit proposed to run directly through their neighborhood. Roland was an avid reader and writer until the end of his life.

He is survived by his loving and devoted daughter, Sandra Rainwater-Brott of Washington, DC; a nephew, James P. Merritt of Honolulu, HI; and sister-in-law, Jeanne MacConnell Merritt of Miami, FL. Roland was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and cherished wife of 63 years, Zillah Johnson Merritt Rainwater.

A memorial service for Reverend Rainwater will be held 2 pm, Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Dr, Columbia. His daughter will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1 pm.

Memorials in memory of Reverend Roland W. Rainwater may be made to an anticipated Rainwater-Brott Family Divinity Scholarship Endowment. Checks may be made payable to Duke Divinity School, Rainwater Fund, Box 90966, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708-0966; or to your favorite charity.

It would be greatly appreciated by his daughter if you would add your memories, condolences and contact information to the on-line guestbook at ShivesFuneralHome.com.