CoClaudia Burel Rainwater

McDonald and Son Funeral Home of Cumming announces the death of Mrs. CoClaudia Burel Rainwater, age 73, of Sugar Hill, Georgia, formerly of St. Peterburg, Florida, who passed away Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at her home in the arms of her loving family, after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.


She was preceded in death by her parents, A.J. and Lorena Burel and sisters, Blanche Hagin and Bernice Byrd.


Claudia was born in Atlanta, but lived many years in St. Petersburg before returning to her hometown.


Claudia was affectionaly called Mama YumYum by her grandchildren and Cauga by her nieces, nephews and others close to her. She was always full of love and laughter, kindness and compassion, and a strength beyond measure. She was known for her gracious hospitality and for many years the talk of the neighborhood was Ms. Claudia' Christmas brunch.


After working as a professional for her dear friends at Beltz & Ruth and also at Fortune Mortgage, both in St. Petersburg, she returned to the Atlanta area to be near her two children and four grandchildren, who were the sunshine of her life and greatest joy. During her many chemo and radiation treatments, she would always say she didn't mind the suffering, as long as it gave her even one more day with her babies. Her strength gave her an additional 22 months to enjoy her family to the fullest.


Claudia lived her life as an incredibly devoted and supportive mother and grandmother. Some of her roles included Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, Avon lady for 25 years, Little League team mom, and award winning cook. And Mama YumYum never missed a Little League game, play, piano recital or game of "monkey-in-the-middle" with her grandchildren.


Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Pam Rainwater Law and Bob Law of Cumming; son and daughter-in-law, Marc and Kathryn Rainwater of Lawrenceville; her four grandchildren, Max and Dylan Law of Cumming; Forrest and Chloe Rainwater of Lawrenceville; her sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Bob Courson of Stockbridge, Georgia; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jackie and Carol Rainwater of Social Circle, Georgia; many nieces, nephews, and loving friends, who she considered family.


Claudia's beautiful smile and gentle warmth will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but she is now a Heavenly Angel, smiling from above with her Father. Her presence will always be felt.


At Claudia's request, donations may be made in her memory to any of the following: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (www.mdanderson.org); The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org); or PAWS Animal Shelton (www.pawsatlanta.org).



Condolences may be expressed online at www.mcdonaldandson.com


Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, Georgia 30040 ... 770-886-9899.



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