Mr. M.C. Rayner

M.C. Rayner was the third born child to the late Alfreda Bond Rayner and the late Jessie Rayner Sr. He grew up in Haywood County and attended public school and Denmark High School. As a boy, he worked very hard on the family farm to help support his seven siblings. This work included cleaning up the ground, which meant cutting down trees, getting up stumps and burning bushes to get the ground ready for planting cotton and corn in the spring season. From early spring to late summer M.C. helped cultivate the crop. So, from early fall until early winter, he would harvest the crop. By him being the eldest boy that was able to help his daddy, he did not go to school as much as he would have liked. Mr. M.C. accepted Christ as his Savior in 1963 at Middleton and Payne Street Church of Christ under the leadership of W. H. Vance. Sr. He was a dependable worker in the church until his health failed. Several people have given credit to him for their connection to and relationship with God. Bro. Rayner was a praying man who encouraged and supported small Churches of Christ. He enjoyed visiting the sick and shut In. 1An appreciation award for 30 years of dedicated service to East Jackson Church of Christ was bestowed upon him for being a part of the bus ministry, food ministry, transportation ministry and cell leader. His favorite pass time was talking to others about the Bible, singing, rabbit hunting, keeping company and eating good food. He also enjoyed playing spades, checkers, and dominoes. His favorite phrases were: “The book says, The Bible says, Wat’ cha know, Wat’ cha heard and Wat’ cha eat”? Mr. Rayner owned two restaurant businesses and a lawn care business during his lifetime. He was no stranger to work. He often worked two jobs and expected his children to work too. He was highlighted by Council member and host, Richard Donnell on Community Feedback for being one of the eldest entrepreneurs in Jackson TN. Mr. Rayner worked and influenced lives at Whit Moses Lumber Company, Conalco Aluminum Foil and Parkway East Apartments. He loved spending time and playing with his white German Shepherd “Katie”. In 1952, M. C. met and fell in love with a very sweet woman, the late Lorene McGoughy. They were married and had five children. Three of his children preceded in in death: Willie Lee Chandler-McClain, Shirley Rayner Moore, and Larry Darnell Rayner. The brothers and sisters that preceded him in death include: J. G. Rayner, Mattie Mae Jones, Willie T. Rayner, Daniel Rayner, Terry A. Rayner Sr., Jessie Rayner, and Katie Vance. . Mr. Rayner is survived by two sons, Fred Hicks of Racine Wi. and Melvin C. Rayner (Bobbie), Jackson TN., He is also survived by two daughters, Gloria Williams of Nashville. TN and Brenda Garrett (Charles) of Atlanta, GA., a sister, Kathy Rayner of Clarksville TN, and James C. Rayner (Emmita), of Jackson, TN; son-in-law: Willie Lewis Moore of Jackson, Tennessee; Additionally, he leaves to mourn a host of sisters-in-laws, Mae Delia Rayner of Brownsville, Geraldine (Jewell) Rayner of Elgin, ILL., Ellen McGoughy of Goodlettsville, TN. and Alberta McGoughy of Milwaukee, Wis. a host of grandchildren, great grands, nieces, nephews, and friends. Mr. M. C. will be truly missed by the lives he blessed and his dog, “Katie”.

Mr. M.C. Rayner

December 25, 1931 - January 7, 2023