Viva L. Rainey, Professor Emerita of History and Government, passed away September 19, 2007 at the age of 94. The following is an excerpt from her obituary.

 

"Viva succeeded in living up to her name, which means, "Long live the girl Rainey." Her compassion, curiosity about people and free-spirited nature were her greatest assets as she traveled the world, making friends wherever she went. Viva was born on Jan. 27, 1913 in Thorpe, Wisconsin. Her first 10 years were spent in Glendive, Montana where her family developed the Rainey Land & Cattle Company. Later, her parents moved to Wheaton, Illinois where Viva attended Wheaton College. A lifelong passion to learn about different cultures was ignited during a trip to Mexico City in 1931. In 1935 she received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Chicago (Phi Beta Kappa) and soon after joined her brother, Froelich Rainey, in his study of prehistoric societies in Puerto Rico. In 1939, Viva returned to Puerto Rico as an English teacher for the U.S. Department of the Interior and married Juan A. Amill. After WWII, she returned to the University of Chicago and received her M.A. in International Relations and History of Latin America, completing her thesis while teaching in El Salvador. From 1949 to 1960, Viva worked for the U.S. Department of State (U.S.I.A.). Her assignments took her to the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Mexico City. In 1953, she married Oracio Julio Ornes, one of the founders of the Caribbean Legion, who was living in exile in Mexico City. In 1964, Viva earned her doctorate (with honors) in International Law and Relations from the University of Madrid in Spain. A desire to attain higher spiritual realization led Viva to study with the Ouspensky group in Mexico City in the early 1950s and later to London to study with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In 1965, Viva joined the faculty of Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. During her 18 years as a professor of history and political science, and later as professor emeritus, she led 26 student tours to Europe, Africa, Russia, India, Israel, Marrakesh and Mexico. Part of her studies included a Fulbright Scholarship to India. Her gift for teaching made her an inspiration to many of her students, some of whom she stayed in touch with throughout her life. Viva was preceded in death by her parents, Alma and Charles F. Rainey; brothers, Froelich G. and Rexton S. Rainey and son, Juan A. Amill. She is survived by her niece and nephew, Blythe Rainey-Cuyler of California and Derek Rainey of Michigan; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Amill of Brownsville and three grandchildren in California and Washington."

 

A memorial tribute for Viva Rainey was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Unity Church of Brownsville in Brownsville, Texas.

 

Memorial donations may be made to Centenary College in honor of Dr. Viva L. Rainey. For more information, contact the Development Office at 318.869.5106.