Jennie Carolyn Rainey

Jennie Carolyn Rainey, or Carolyn to her friends and Mom/Grandma/Nana to her family, was born in Memphis, TN on September 26, 1932. Her loving parents were Arthur Thomas Bell and Harriett Louise Huddleston-Bell, who raised Carolyn in the Highland Heights area all her life. Carolyn attended Treadwell for Elementary, Middle, and High School, where she had an active social life and made life-long friends.

When Carolyn graduated in 1950, she began her working career which spanned positions at First Tennessee Bank, American Greeting Company, and her long-time position as an administrative clerk for the U.S. Army Recruiting, where she remained until she retired.

Carolyn married and at 33 had a beautiful and precocious daughter, Teresa. Carolyn raised Teresa in Midtown Memphis, where she cared for both of her parents as well. When Teresa grew up and married, Carolyn was blessed with three grandchildren: Emily, Lauren, and Spencer. Carolyn was devoted to her grandchildren and created magical childhood memories, spending every Friday night with them when they were younger. For instance, the Winter Olympics were a big event, as Carolyn loved watching the figure skating with them! Carolyn also gave the best back scratches.

Carolyn retired early, to provide additional childcare for Spencer when he was very young. They grew up extremely close and were truly best friends: she would showcase his Lego masterpieces to all of her friends at Wesley Stage Park. Carolyn also picked Emily & Lauren up from school everyday, keeping them all in the afternoons. Grandma was so patient in taking Emily to her driver’s permit testing- even after she failed twice! Even when her grandchildren grew and moved away, she was always so supportive: Lauren had a weekly phone date with Grandma, where they would chit-chat for an hour or more, staying connected to all the happenings of each others’ lives. And Spencer would have dinner with Grandma once a week also, such as sushi night- she loved crunchy shrimp rolls!

Anyone that knew Carolyn also knew how important her Shih Tzu pup, Suzie, was in her life. As an honorary grandchild, Suzie spent 15 wonderful years as Carolyn’s companion. Suzie was a silly fluffy-faced little rascal, who didn’t have the time of day for just anyone but was absolutely devoted to Carolyn! As Suzie got older, Carolyn handmade her dinner every week: cooking ground turkey for Suzie in big batches. When Suzie crossed the rainbow bridge, Carolyn had a special urn created and displayed in a place of honor, with Suzie’s photo and dates engraved. Suzie and Carolyn will journey into the afterlife together so they can remain the way they were in life- inseparable.

When her grandchildren were grown, Carolyn was additionally privileged to have three great-grands in her life: Ellie- born to Emily; as well as Evan and Natalie- born to Lauren. Carolyn’s home was filled with photos of her family: not only every table surface and wall, but also her fridge could barely be seen through all of their sweet faces! Evan said that Nana always gave the best hugs.

Along with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and Suzie: Carolyn’s greatest joy in life was her faith. She was a regular attendee at Ridgeway Baptist church, and later joined Bellevue Baptist. She was active in her church groups and went all out celebrating each Christmas- especially her hand-painted Christmas village, which she set up in her living room and added to every year. She loved Gospel music, collecting her favorite artists’ albums as soon as they were released. Carroll Robertson was a particular favorite- as well as other Country artists, with a special place in her heart for Ricky Van Shelton!

In her last years, when Carolyn was unable to drive to church service, she watched the Bellevue sermon every Sunday from her living room. She was staunchly independent, living in her apartment at Wesley Stage Park until the very end of her life. She enjoyed the community there, attending potlucks, holiday celebrations, and monthly events. Carolyn had a kind word for everyone she passed in the hall and made many strong connections there- such as her best friend Ruth. They would speak on the phone every day, despite living just a couple apartments away!

Carolyn’s main pastimes in her middle years were quilting and embroidery. She created beautiful blankets for her grandchildrens’ births, which became treasured family heirlooms. When her great-granddaughter Ellie was born, she inherited her mother Emily’s baby blanket- Blankie. Ellie was inseparable from Blankie, taking him on all family trips and sleeping with him every night.

Carolyn was also an avid reader, with stacks of books 5ft tall all over her home. Danielle Steele was one of her favorite secular authors. And of course, Carolyn had read the Bible cover-to-cover many times over. In her later years, she loved reading both religious fiction and essays, many focused on the Second Coming of Christ and His kingdom on earth. When not reading, you could be sure to find her watching her beloved Memphis Tigers play basketball and football! Carolyn was never afraid of a challenge: she even bought a dulcimer and taught herself to play over the course of a year.

Carolyn will be remembered as a sweet and constant presence in her family’s lives. She was always fair and fastidious, a true Southern lady. Her family is grateful to everyone who is remembering Carolyn in their prayers today and going forward, and for the special memories they contributed to her life. While we will miss her every day, we are comforted to know that her faith was rock solid and she is in a happy place surrounded by her loved ones. As said in the Bible at John 14 verses 1-3: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

A visitation for Jennie will be held Monday, October 7, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122, followed by a funeral service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.