Teresa Claire Rainey

It is with deep sadness that we announce our beloved Teresa Claire Rainey passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2022 in Memphis, TN. She was 67 years old and proudly lived an independent life at home throughout her entire, valiant battle with cancer until she was just recently admitted to hospice.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Dr. Bernard and Marge Rainey of Memphis, TN. She is survived by her brother, Brad Rainey (Judy) of Charleston, SC, a sister Elisa Joyner (Tommy) of Memphis, TN, another sister, Ellen Hicks of Nashville, TN, many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, loving aunts and uncles, over 40 first cousins, and a multitude of “chosen” family members she cherished throughout her life.

Claire was born on April 5, 1955 in Columbia, South Carolina, and she lived in Lake Charles, LA, Tainan, Taiwan, Ann Arbor, MI, Camp Springs, MD, Nashville, TN, and Memphis, TN where she settled in 1998 to be closer to her parents.

Throughout her life, Claire was known for her deep love of family, her dedication to lifelong friends, her loving care of others, and her love of mischief and a good prank! She has many endearing nicknames she was known by like Claire Belle, Claire Bear, ClairEee, Teresa, and her favorite… “Doe,” which her great nieces and nephews called her!

Claire truly believed in giving back to her community and living in service to people. With her soft spoken voice, she made easy connections with people and showed her love for them in the smallest and biggest of ways - to name a few…Claire always remembered that special gift someone wished for, she cooked delicious meals for a homebound friend, and she lovingly gave years of emotional and financial support to a small boy living in another country.

For over 60 years, Claire gave her talents and gifts as a volunteer to a multitude of organizations. She started out as a Brownie then a Girl Scout, then as a teenager she joined JANGO, Junior Army and Navy Guild Organization for daughters of military officers, where she donned a pink candy stripe pinafore to be a nursing assistant. She helped build multiple homes in Nashville and a school in Mexico for Habitat for Humanity; she answered the call from people in crisis needing emergency assistance by providing food, clothing, temporary housing, and childrens’ craft activities for the Memphis Inter-Faith Association; she cooked and served meals for Room in the Inn; she gave support to the American Heart Association; and she shared her energy and resources with many other organizations throughout her lifetime.

Claire proudly received her Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management from Crichton College in 2001. A dedicated colleague, she brought her very best to her long term corporate jobs in contract administration, group and health benefits, and insurance. Some of the companies Claire worked for were Shoney’s South, Inc., CIGNA, and before retiring, Lipscomb and Pitts Insurance, where she proudly worked for 18 years.

Claire prepared well for her retirement in 2019 and enjoyed several months of planning and taking trips with family and friends, doing special interest projects, and giving her volunteer time. Then the pandemic hit, and Claire found a love for being in her beautiful home, keeping her great nieces and nephews, and spending her time volunteering for the Room in the Inn. In September 2021, Claire was diagnosed with cancer for the third time in her life. She was a soldier through it all until she couldn’t fight the fight anymore.

Claire was an active member of the United Methodist Church throughout her life. She started out singing in the choir and she was a member of the Methodist Youth Fellowship. She is a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church where she taught Vacation Bible School, served on the Emmanuel Womens’ Ministry Team, volunteered in the office, and gave her time to Emmanuel’s Food Pantry.

Claire will be remembered by her family as a loving, funny, and supportive daughter, sister, aunt, and niece, and she will be remembered by her community as one of the most generous, involved, and caring friends. Claire loved nothing more than being with her family and friends, and while we will miss her immensely, we are all very grateful now to know that she is finally free of pain and at peace.

Memphis Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 21 at 1:00 PM followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM, all at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 2404 Kirby Rd., Memphis, TN. Following the service, Interment will be at Memphis Memory Gardens Cemetery in Memphis, TN.

The family requests any memorials be sent to one of the following: the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, or the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Rainey family.