By Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy CEO Joe Dorman 
Some say that deaths occur in “threes,” and for Oklahomans that was truly the case last week with a trio of remarkable individuals who each had an impact on those in their circle of life.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (100), Oklahoma City businessman and philanthropist Gene Rainbolt (95), and Center of Family Love case manager Sister Veronica Higgins (74) each passed, all having left a mark on those who respected them and the lives they impacted through their work.
James Earl Carter, Jr. served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Following his Presidency, Carter continued his humanitarian work with his wife Rosalyn by his side for their 77 years of marriage together. The former First Lady preceded him in death in 2023.
He was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his work to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development. Many consider Carter to be the nation’s greatest former President due to his philanthropic work with programs like Habitat for Humanity and efforts to bring peace to parts of the world in turmoil.
“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. I’m free to choose that something. That something—the something that I’ve chosen—is my faith. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have, to try to make a difference.” – Jimmy Carter
Closer to home, many tributes have been shared about the life of Harry Eugene Rainbolt, the founder of BancFirst. Rainbolt inspired his employees and those around him to recognize the power of philanthropy in impacting the lives of those in need.
In 2024, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) created an award named the H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt Corporate Citizen Award to recognize a business which helps give back to children through their volunteerism, inspired by the work which Rainbolt himself championed for children through his bank.
“Change the world,” Rainbolt wrote in his own obituary. “Have some fun. Make some money. Give it away. Believing the tragedy of death has to do entirely with what was left undone, mine ended with my having done all I could do, but with so much more needed!”
Sister Veronice Higgins of the Carmelite Sisters of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus was a past administrator and principal at the former Villa Teresa School in Oklahoma City. Sister Veronica was a well-recognized presence around state politics, often seen promoting positions dear to her at the State Capitol.
Her passion though was the work with the Center of Family Love in Okarche. CFL provides lifetime quality care and empowers individuals to conquer intellectual disabilities, as taken from their Facebook page. They shared that the residents called her “mama,” an endearing name that she cherished. She said that she loved completing her career at CFL because God had called to serve the orphans, the poor, and the needy.
“Love incarnate, help us to follow your example of love by welcoming the homeless, comforting the sorrowful- being your light in our dark world.” – Veronica Higgins
Each of these remarkable individuals left an indelible mark on those they touched through their charitable work. It is now up to those of us left to continue their work and lift those around us to greater heights.
Things often can be overwhelming for those struggling, but it is people like these three who took just a bit of that load off of others and made the trek a little easier, so please pay tribute to each by taking up a cause that will uplift others.
