Granville Newton Rainey, Jr. (Buddy)

Granville Newton Rainey Jr. (Buddy) passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Mr. Rainey was preceded in death by: his father and mother, Rev. and Mrs. G. N. Rainey, Sr; five sisters: Emolyn R. Mount, Elizabeth R. Certain, Martha R. Thorne, Ann R. Erwin, and Sue R. Harris. He is survived by the following; his wife of 66 years, Judy J. Rainey; three children: Morris Rainey (Marcia), Karyl R. Harris (Jimmy), and Thomas Rainey (Sarah); Grandchildren: Megan R. King (Will), Jamie H. Kahl (Matthew), Joshua Harris (Cassandra), Katlyn H. Williams (Ryan), Molly Rainey, Emma Rainey; Great-grandchildren: Carolyn Kahl, Jeffrey Kahl, Ella Frances Harris, Hayes Harris, McKenna Williams; Sister-in-law: Jennifer Hadwin, and numerous nephews and nieces. Buddy was born on February 1, 1933 into a Methodist parsonage family. He thereafter lived in the following towns: Savannah, Statesboro, Columbus, Waycross, Cairo, Fort Valley, and Macon. Buddy graduated from Cairo High School in 1950. He attended Emory College at Oxford (Emory at Oxford). He was then drafted into the Army and spent three years-one in school in Fort Deven, MA and then two years on Okinawa in the ASA. He returned from the military and attended Georgia Teachers College (now Georgia Southern). He graduated in 1958 with a BS degree in Education. He was hired to come to Albany to teach at Albany Junior High School. He was first a teacher, then a Guidance Counselor, then an Elementary School Principal, and spent his last years as an Administrative Assistant and retired after 34 years of service in 1992. Buddy and Judy were married in 1958 just before he reported to work for the Dougherty County school system. He was an active member of the First Methodist Church, Albany, Ga. for 66 years, choir member, usher, Young-At-Heart coordinator, and many other positions of service to all he met. Special thanks to the Care-Givers: Renita Shorter, Deloris Bolden, Phyllis Williams, Babette Willingham, Lenora Hicks, and Shirley Nixon who provided loving assistance. Memorials to Albany First Methodist Camp Kirksey or the Altar Fund. Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 2 pm at Albany First Methodist Church, Walden Chapel, with visitation beginning at 1 pm. You may sign the online guestbook at www.kimbrellstern.com.

Granville Newton Rainey, Jr. (Buddy)

February 1, 1933 - May 20, 2025