Richard Dennis Rains, 74, of Valdese, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024, at  Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, North Carolina.

Dennis was born February 19, 1950, in Burke County to the late James Rains, originally from Grundy, West Virginia, and his wife, Eula “Dootsie” Oxentine Rains of Valdese, North Carolina. He was a beloved husband to Norma Kay Lowman Rains of Valdese, and a devoted father to his daughter, Laurel. Dennis was a thirty-five-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Valdese.  He and his wife were coordinators of the Children’s Feeding Ministry for many years, a “Do Dad” with Girl Scouts of America, and a retired service representative for Bernhardt and Drexel Furniture.  He loved God, his church, his daily bible readings, baseball, cheering for UNC Tarheel’s basketball, feeding his birds and squirrels, and anything beach – beach music, lifeguarding, and shag dancing.

In addition to his loving parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, James Allen “Duster” Rains of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; mother-in-law, Dorothy Allman Lowman; and father-in-law, Robert Lowman, Jr. of Valdese, North Carolina, whom he loved like a father.

He is survived by one daughter, Laurel E. Poe of Leland, North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Angie Lowman Ausley, and husband Jeff of Candler, North Carolina.  Also surviving is one maternal aunt, Vicki Moose Oxentine, and many cousins living in New York, Hawaii, West Virginia, and North Carolina.

The visitation and memorial service will be on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Visitation will be held from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church, 217 Saint Germain Avenue SE, Valdese, North Carolina, 28690. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 P.M. in the sanctuary at the First United Methodist Church, Valdese, North Carolina with Rev. Bill Roberts officiating.

Memorials may be donated to The Children’s Feeding Ministry at First United Methodist Church Valdese, PO Box 637, Valdese, North Carolina   28690.

The family wishes to express our deepest appreciation for all the loving support from our many friends, the staff at Carolina Hematology and Oncology, and Frye Regional Medical Center. Your kindness, compassion, and loving care will never be forgotten.