Monthly Archives: April 2025

Elise Louise Rains — Class of 1966

Elise Louise Rains, affectionately known as Lisa, peacefully passed away on Friday, April 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 8, 1948, in Ridgecrest, California, to Clarence Victor Carr and Ellen Lucille Fertig Carr. Lisa grew up in Trona, California, where she attended school alongside her cherished brother, Craig Allen Carr.

Lisa shared 52 beautiful years of marriage with her devoted husband, Charles Ernest Rains. Together, they built a life full of love and laughter, raising five children: Cathie Mayfield (Rick), Cynthia Moreno (David), Connie Rains-Hamlett (John), Charles “Alan” Rains, and CarriAnn Rains. Her legacy continues through her twelve grandchildren and growing number of great-grandchildren, who will forever carry her warmth in their hearts. She was also a beloved bonus mom to her nephew, Jeremy Rains.

Lisa was preceded in death by her grandsons, Michael Frank Jolly and Charles Alexander Campos.

Lisa worked as a telephone operator for Contel. She spent time as a teacher’s aide. She also served as a secretary at High Desert Scribe and owned Trona’s local Channel 3. In addition to her professional roles, Lisa was a longtime volunteer EMT for Searles Valley.

A woman of boundless compassion and empathy, Lisa embraced the belief that all life was sacred. She lived with a rare and unwavering kindness, never harming even the smallest creature or the trees that stood rooted in the earth.

Though there will be no immediate services, her memory will be honored through the love of those she touched.

The Daily Independent ridgecrestca.com

 

Ruthie Lancaster

Ruthie (Storm) Lancaster — Class of 1963

Ruthie passed away on April 2, 2025. She was a proud member of the THS class of 1963. She was also the Trona High School librarian for many years. She claimed to be the meanest Trona High School Librarian there ever was.

Around 1948 Ruthie moved from Missouri  to Trona with her parents, sisters, her Uncle Ray and Ray’s  daughter Donna (Storm) Carter (1947-2022) who  was the class of 1964 . Donna was married to Kenneth Carter (1943-2020) from the class of 1961. Ruthie’s older sister, Helen (1940-2021) was in the class of 1958.

In 1954 Ruthie’s grandparents moved to Trona along with her youngest uncle, Dale. Dale married Patricia Ritter (1937-2009) from the class of 1956.

We share the families sadness as we all remember Ruthie.

If someone knows what years she worked as the librarian please let us know.

 

 

Ronald McCauley — Class of 1990

My name is Tracy this is my brother Ronald James McCauley who passed away from a medical Illness in his sleep march 1st 2025. My hope is to help raise money for his funeral service and help out with left over bills for his son who was left behind Connor James McCauley your donations no matter how small we’ll make a huge difference in helping them thank you so much for your support please share. Services have not been planned as of yet.

GoFundMe