Frances Parks Rain

Frances Ann Parks Rain, of Highland Park, Texas, died peacefully at the age of 94 in her home on Thursday morning, February 16, 2017. Frances was born in Dallas, Texas on April 21, 1922. She was a 1939 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and received a Bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas in 1943. On March 20, 1943, Frances married Talbot Rain, a distinguished Dallas attorney and founder of the law firm Rain Harrell Emery Young & Doke.

Frances was a member of a long-time Dallas family. Her father helped develop the Lakewood area of Dallas and, built the Parks Estate as his home, where Frances grew up, and it ultimately became the East Dallas YMCA for many years before being restored back into a private residence. She became one of Dallas’ preeminent florists and owner of La Jardinière Floral Design where she worked with numerous galas, weddings, debutant balls, and other events.

Throughout her life Frances was involved in community and social organizations including the Junior League of Dallas, Dallas Country Club, Park Cities Club, Park Cities Baptist Church and the Dallas Women’s Club.

An avid baseball fan her entire life, she would go to games back in the 1940s where she would see players such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig,Joe DiMaggio, andMickey Mantle while living in Boston. Then her passion took on a new level when the Washington Senators moved to Texas in 1972 to become the Texas Rangers. She regularly attended Texas Rangers games (including going to spring training) throughout her life and was profiled as Rangers Fan of the Week by the Dallas Morning News as well as other sports publications.

Frances is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Talbot Rain, as well as her parents Joseph Floyd Parks and Lucy Largent Parks, and by brother Largent Parks and wife Laura, brother Ernest Parks and wife Elizabeth, sister Elaine Holcomb and husband Luther, brother Joseph Parks, and brother-in-law Robert Rain.

Frances is survived by daughter Lucy Blachly and husband Jack, son David Rain and wife Norma, and daughter Libby Wiggins and husband Will. In addition to her children, she is survived by five grandchildren: Michael Blachly and wife Katherine, Clint Rain and wife Cecilia, Christi Telshaw and husband Dave, William Wiggins and wife Mandi, and Mary Wiggins and fiancé Michael Roy. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and her longtime friend and sister-in-law Gene Rain. She is also survived by her constant companion and four-legged friend, Molly.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to her caregiver for many years David Highsmith and her housekeeper Lelia Cortez and caregiver Sheila Jones.

A memorial reception will be held on February 28, from 4:00 to 6:00 at the Ellis Chapel Parlor at Park Cities Baptist Church (3933 Northwest Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75225). Interment will be at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the SPCA, Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, Dallas Heritage Village, or a charity of your choice.