Joanna Rainey, age 96 and a longtime resident of Highlands, died May10 at Mission Hospital. Joanna was born Nov. 14, 1925 in Elberton, Ga. to John T. Rainey and Kate Jackson Rainey. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters Kathryn R. Hyde, Etta George Worley and Virginia R. Oglesby, a niece, Lynne Hyde Wilson and a nephew John Worley.
Joanna was a graduate of Elberton High School and Georgia State College for Women. She then earned her Masters Degree in Music from the University of Michigan. After brief teaching stints in Cartersville, Ga and Washington, Ga., she became a Music Educator for the Fulton County Board of Education (Atlanta) where she spent the rest of her career. In 1990 she was presented with the Distinguished Career Award by the Georgia Music Educators Association.
Following retirement, she relocated to her favorite village of Highlands and being the devout Episcopalian, found volunteering at the Church of the Incarnation her pride and joy. There she started the Parish Post as well as its first choir. She was involved with the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival for more than 35 years and served as co-president for 4 of those years. Joanna had a great love of the arts, cooking and loved to socialize. She never knew a stranger.
Joanna is survived by nephews George Worley of Elberton and Jeff Hyde of Tampa, Fl as well as 13 great nieces and nephews, 29 great great nieces and nephews, 4 great great great nieces and nephews and several cousins. She was an amazing lady full of grace and charm and was loved by many.
A memorial service will be held in Highlands at the Church of the Incarnation on Saturday, August 6th at 11a.m.
Donations may be made to the Church of the Incarnation, P.O.Box 729, Highlands, N.C. 28741 or The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, P.O. Box 1702, Highlands, N.C. 28741