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BORN
1928
DIED
2016
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Louis Rainey Obituary
February 4, 1928 - September 7, 2016
Raleigh
Louis Perry Rainey, born February 4, 1928 in Commodore PA to Leonard Rainey and Emma Atwell Rainey. He was raised by Ira Smith and his wife Wilma who died when Louis was 2 years old. He was known as Louis Smith until he was 18 and spent his childhood in East Liverpool, Ohio. Unaware of his adoption until he joined the US Navy, his name was then changed back to Rainey.
Louis spent 22 years in the Navy retiring as Senior Chief Storekeeper in 1966. While enlisted, he traveled to almost every continent and met his beautiful wife, Solange Serreya, in Casablanca, Morocco. He proposed to her on the day they met and were married in November of the same year. Initially, Solange thought he was joking about getting married as her English was limited. Two weeks later, he presented her with an engagement ring and she knew he serious. He loved his time in the Navy.
Louis fought in WWII and Korea and is highly decorated for his service. He received a purple heart and Silver Star among many other medals. After the fighting, Louis kept his family close in ports near the coasts so that his wife could be near her family in Paris, France or Raleigh, NC.
Louis and Solange had two children, Larry Len Rainey (Rose) and Ginger Rainey Jackson.
When Louis retired from the Navy, he settled in Raleigh NC where one of Solange's sister had moved. He was hired by Wake County Hospital (currently WakeMed) as director of the business office where he worked until his retirement.
In addition to his two children, he is survived by his three grandchildren, Joseph Jackson, Rebecca Rainey and Robert Rainey, two great-grandchildren, Lacey and Alexis and others on the way.
Louis loved sports! Especially baseball. Some of the teams he liked were the Cincinnati Reds, the Cleveland Browns, the Carolina Panthers, Ohio State, NC State and Clemson. He was also known for being "a fan" of anything Pittsburg or near his home town. He has attended numerous sporting events in his life time and even was on the sidelines of the world cup in soccer in South America.
Louis always had a plethora of stories to tell about his travels as well as his antics during his youth.
Louis has left our world on September 7, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to the Salvation Army. Brown-Wynne funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Louis Rainey
Sponsored by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home.
3 Entries
Hal Chapple
February 3, 2018
Mr. Rainey was my boss in the Business Office at Wake Medical in the mid-to-late 1970's. For several years he was the Manager, and I was the Assistant Manager. I learned many management techniques during my time with him. He frequently would say "you gotta role with the punches"...and I've practiced that my entire career. Thank you for all you taught me, Mr. Rainey. Rest in Peace. Prayers for Ginger and all of your family.
Virginia Kellum
September 11, 2016
Mr. Rainey was my boss when I first went to WakeMed in 1979. I have great memories of him & still to this day can hear his voice. ... So sorry he has left us & my sympathies to the family.
Tina Burrows
September 11, 2016
One of our more colorful neighbors. Mr. Rainey always had a cheerful "hello" to our children as they grew up on Long Bow. He loved watching our son JD hit a baseball in the front yard until it became too dangerous to hit any longer. I loved telling him stories of JD's pitching adventures. He would have been so delighted to learn JD will be playing college baseball. You were loved and will be missed by the Burrows family.
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