Terry Joe Rainey

Pastor Terry Joe Rainey, 75, passed away at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Pastor Rainey was currently serving as the pastor at Motlow Creek Baptist Church and had preached his final sermon this past Sunday. He had served this church for the past 20 years and had served his Lord faithfully as a Pastor for 52 years.

He was the first of 3 sons of the late Harold and Ruth Rainey of Easley, SC.

Pastor Rainey was married to the late Cookie Smith Rainey. Survivors include his beloved daughter, Shannon Frances Sally Hood (Chris), brothers Steve Rainey, Butch Rainey (Sharon), numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, three brothers in law and four sisters in law.

He finished Wren High School in Piedmont, SC, attended Anderson University, Columbia Bible College & Gardner Webb. He undertook extensive study of the Bible as a lifelong pursuit.

Terry was saved, born again and baptized at Geer Memorial Baptist Church, Easley, SC in 1971 and then surrendered to enter the Ministry in 1973. A talented musician, Terry was an accomplished drummer and used that skill in his charismatic approach to serving our Lord. He sang numerous solos of Gospel music at his church and during his Evangelism, sometimes singing together with wife, Cookie or son in law, Chris Hood. His first pastorate was Unity Baptist Church in Woodruff, SC. He served as Pastor at Airport Rd Baptist Church in West Columbia, SC, Centerville Baptist Church in Anderson, SC and Mt Vernon Baptist Church and Christian School in Stockbridge, Georgia. Terry also led numerous youth camps in various locations.

He often entertained when the whole family gathered at the river for special occasions, using his unique talent as a comedian, to imitate virtually anyone, singing Gospel solos and leading the whole family in singing hymns together.

Pastor Rainey had many, many close friends who were involved in the Ministry. Several other young men were called to and presently serve as Pastors due to Terry’s leadership and mentoring. Together with Cookie, Terry conducted Revivals in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia and Illinois as well as organizing Medical supply relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Together, through Life Aid Ministries, they raised over $4,000,000 worth of medical supplies for mission trips to Eastern Europe & Central America.

Pastor Rainey was internationally known as an Evangelist preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Russia, Romania, Guatemala & Hungary as well as across the South East United States.

His daughter Shannon, was involved with Terry and Cookie’s ministry by coordinating and planning event arrangements for Revivals.

A Clemson fan, Terry had a warm, friendly personality, was easy to talk with, had an excellent sense of humor and could have been an entertainer. A serious Bible Scholar, he preached with passion & integrity. He was admired, loved & respected by both sides of his family & by many, many friends in Christ & church members.

He will be buried at the Motlow Creek Baptist Church beside his devoted wife, Cookie.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29307. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 25,2025, at Holston Creek Baptist Church with Dr. Keith Kelly, Pastor Teddie Turrentine, Pastor Lloyd Stancil, and Pastor Eddie Burdette officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons from Motlow Creek Baptist Church.

Active Pallbearers will be Robbie Smith, Richie Smith, Mike Worley, Sam Worley, Bryan Yelton, Dagan Rainey, and Cameron Rainey.

The arrangements are entrusted into the care of Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel.

An online guest is available at www.floyd’s greenlawn chapel.com

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