Bobby Wayne Rainey

Bobby Wayne Rainey, 71, of 405 Curtis Drive Rockingham, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at Firsthealth Richmond Memorial Hospital in Rockingham. Mr. Rainey was born December 30, 1937 in Caswell County, a son of the late Mack and Bessie Paschal Rainey. Bobby was a celebrated athlete from Altamahaw-Ossipee High School in Alamance County. He graduated from East Carolina University with a BA in Education and went on to pursue a career in public education, both as a teacher and athletic coach. Bobby Rainey retired as a NC public schoolteacher in 1998 after 38 years of teaching including Western HS (Alamance County); Southern Alamance HS (Alamance County); Gibsonville HS (Guilford County) and Richmond County Schools. Throughout his teaching career he was a full-time high school football, basketball, and baseball coach. In Richmond County he is most remembered for his time as an assistant coach for the Richmond Sr. High Football team from 1972-1990, winning several conference championships and the NC State 4A championship in 1972. He was the assistant coach of the RSHS baseball team from 1972-1980, and followed as the head coach from 1981-1993. During this time he amassed a 259-67 record and 9 conference championships. In 1983 his team won the NC Baseball State 4A Championship. When Bobby retired from teaching he continued his involvement in sports as a Junior High and High School Referee for 25 years. In 1987 He was the Southeastern AAAA Conference Baseball Coach of the Year and in 1999 he was selected as a NC/SC Shrine Bowl referee. Bobby was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Rockingham. He served as a deacon; youth and adult Sunday school teacher; and outreach volunteer for their low-income housing mission. Surviving are his wife, Marjorie Greer Rainey of the home; his daughter, Meg Rainey Clarke and husband Malcolm of Cary, NC; his son Nat and wife Valerie of Jacksonville, FL; 4 grand-children - Austin, Brandon, Caitlin, and Daniel; his sister Linda Jones and husband Benny of Elon College, NC and many beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM Friday at First Baptist Church of Rockingham with Rev. Dr. Lamar King and Rev. Phil Spears officiating. Interment will follow in Eastside Cemetery. The family will see friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday at Carter Funeral Home in Rockingham and at other times at the home on Curtis Drive. Memorials can be sent on behalf of Bobby Rainey to the First Baptist Church of Rockingham, 201 N. Randolph St. Rockingham, NC 28379 or The ALS Association Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter,120-101 Penmarc Drive ,Raleigh, NC 27603