Mary Rainey Kyzer

Mary L. Rainey Kyzer, Knoxville, TN, age 83, went to celebrate eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ on December 3, 2017 due to complications from Alzheimer’s. Mary was born and raised in the Motlow Creek community of Holly Springs, SC. Mary graduated from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC in 1954, and she married William S. Kyzer on December 31, 1955. Later they moved to Knoxville, TN where they raised their family. She retired from Knox County Health Department as a Medical Technologist. Mary was a member of Smithwood Baptist Church in Fountain City for 60 years. She sang in the church choir and served in many other aspects of church life. Mary is preceded in death by parents Jerry A. and Mary Sue Cooley Rainey; husband William S. Kyzer (1994) and son David William Kyzer (1995). Mary’s memory will be cherished by her daughter Susan Kyzer Ballard, granddaughter Lauren Ballard Call and husband Jonathan, and great granddaughter Lydia Maria Ballard; daughter Patty Kyzer Wilkins and husband Kevin; Lynne Kyzer Baird and husband Dan and grandsons Heath and Hunter Baird; Lisa Kyzer Skelly and husband David and grandchildren Corinne, Michael and Chandler Skelly; and was a special mother to Rhonda Whitson Thomas. Mary was loved very deeply by everyone who knew her. She was a very loving and selfless person who had the gift of helping others throughout her life. Special thanks to the staff of Elmcroft in Halls. The family will have a private internment. They will receive friends on December 29, 2017 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Smithwood Baptist Church (4914 Jacksboro Pike, Knoxville), and Mary’s Celebration of Life Ceremony will begin at 7:30 PM with Dr. C. Glenn Sullivan, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Smithwood Baptist Church Choir Fund or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Tennessee. Please visit www.berrylynnhurst.com to leave condolences for the family.