Lucy Willis Rainey

She was born on November 24, 1947, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Benjamin Coleman Willis and Lucy Vaughan Willis. She spent periods of her youth in Lexington and in Atlanta, Georgia where she attended Henry Clay High School in Lexington and Grady High School in Atlanta. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1969 with a degree in Education. She taught in the Norfolk, Virginia public schools and then developed an interest in accounting. She took accounting courses at the Ohio State University and Florida State University, and passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. She practiced for 35 years as a CPA in accounting and financial firms. She engaged in volunteer service for charitable and community organizations. She was the financial advisor to the UGA Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, was a board member for the Athens YWCO, the Clarke-Oconee Tennis Association, and served in other organizations. She was deeply grateful for the many wonderful friends she made in Athens, who enriched her life. Her friends observed that she always said “yes” to new adventures. She enjoyed snow and water skiing, tennis, travel, spending time on Dog Island, Florida and on Lake Seed, Georgia, and any activities that involved family and friends.

She is survived by husband Hal Rainey of Athens, son Willis Rainey (Renee) of Macon, Georgia and their children, George Tazewell Rainey (“Taz”) and Lucy Rutledge Rainey. She is also survived by daughter Nancy Rainey of Park City, Utah, Brother Ben Willis (Kim) of Kapalua, Hawaii, Brother Roger Shepherd and his wife, Lucy’s dear friend Sharry Shepherd of Atlanta, and by brother Charles Shepherd (Mary Elizabeth) of Staunton, Virginia.

A celebration of Lucy’s life will be scheduled at a later date.

Memorial Contributions can be sent to the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation (https://www.clfoundation.org/cutaneous-t-cell-lymphoma) or in keeping with Lucy’s outlook on life, to one’s own preferred charity.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.