Bonnie Jean Rains

Surrounded by family and friends, Bonnie Jean Rains of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2024. Born in the rural town of Stuttgart, Arkansas in 1930 at just 1 pound, 8 ounces, the miracle of Bonnie’s survival was just the beginning of a very remarkable life.

The Morris family moved to Fresno, CA in 1935, where Bonnie attended school, and grew to be a fearless 4'10" dynamo who loved to sing and dance “more than she liked to eat”.

After high school, Bonnie sang in a gospel quartet, “The Midnight Criers”, with her high school sweetheart and bass singer, Edward Lee Scrivner. They married and added five members to their musical group: Debra, Sandra, Clay, Sheldon, and Deana. Their children performed at their church and other venues across the country. Bonnie built her family’s foundation on church and music, which still unites them today.

Whether she was leading the youth group at church or sewing custom fashions for San Francisco's elite, Bonnie was successful. Her first businesses, "Bonnie Jeans" and "Sew Fit," were more than ventures; they were her passion. She proceeded to lead large seminars where she taught hundreds of students how to create patterns and design their own unique fashions.

When the Scrivner nest began to empty, Bonnie expanded her ministry to the elderly. She expanded and transformed the Scrivner residence into an assisted living home that cared for 5 Grandmas at a time. Bonnie was proud that her care home had the longest waiting list in Sacramento County.

The beauty of the southwest drew Bonnie to Scottsdale in 1994. She joined the First Baptist Church of Scottsdale where she led women’s bible study, sewing circle, and her Sunday School class. Church friends, neighbors and family could always count on an invitation to Bonnie’s elaborately themed backyard celebrations.

As gregarious as Bonnie was, she was just as quiet about her generosity. She was a constant friend and steward to many missionary families. For nearly 40 years, Bonnie sewed clothing, and toys for her favorite cause: Tecate Mission to Mexico. On the home front, she tirelessly sewed warm “roll-up” quilts for the homeless, regularly sewing 10-12 hours a day.

Later in life, Bonnie was always up for a “cute movie” or a marathon of her favorite dice game “ZILCH”! She was “a hoot” and drew people in with her colorful southern idioms: boy howdy!; shoot-fire; pig’s eye; older than dirt; better than a sharp stick in the eye; madder than a wet hen; not worth a hill-of-beans; and as independent as a hog on ice, and saved your bacon! to name a few . . . it’s all “in the book” she would tell her grandchildren.

God’s speed, Bonnie Jean. You will be sorely missed.

Bonnie is survived by youngest sister, Donna Brow of Lincoln, CA; children Debra Piazzo (Michael), Salem, OR; Clay Scrivner (Claudia), Scottsdale, AZ; Sheldon Scrivner (Valerie) of Carleton, Ontario; and Deana Lopipero (Tommy Caponi), Seaford, NY.

Grandchildren: Daniel Horvath; Skate Edward; Shannon Pullen (Michael); Sheri Jones; Jason Weekly (Tina); Heidi Arbogast; Jered Scrivner (Jessie); Beau John Scrivner; Marcel Scrivner; and Justin Lopipero.

Great-grandchildren: Anela Kane; Zachary Horvath; Margot Pullen; Ada Pullen; Ezra Reeves, Dakota Reeves; Opal Jones; Maleia Byrom; Christian Campbell; Aubree Campbell; and Colton Arbogast.

Bonnie was preceded in death by daughter Sandra Ciappini, brother William "Bill" Morris, sister Betty Jo Adams, and husband, Edward Lee Scrivner.

In lieu of flowers, Bonnie's wish was to carry on her support of Tecate Mission International: P.O. Box 1000, Tecate, CA 91980; Attention Ron Hoffman on correspondence, communication, emails, and/or gifts (checks with sticky note)., or online at www.tecatemission.org.