Sylmer C. Rainey Sr.

October 21, 1937 - November 29, 2021

Sylmer Clemon Rainey, Sr., son of the late Joseph Rainey and Mamie Ashby, was born on Thursday, October 21, 1937, in Pungateague, Virginia, Accomac County. Sylmer was the youngest of five children. He departed this life peacefully on Monday, November 29, 2021, at 3:00 A.M. at Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center, in Millsboro, Delaware at the age of 84. Sylmer received his education in the Delaware School Systems and enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in 1956. Sylmer was employed as a truck driver, which he enjoyed and loved for more than 40 years. He was employed at the Showell Poultry Plant in Showell, Maryland, Reed Trucking Company in Milton, Delaware, and retired from Townsends, Inc. now Mountaire Farms in Millsboro, Delaware. He was known by his friends and family as “Tarzan”, “Jungle Boy”, or “Rainey”. Sylmer was joined in holy matrimony to Barbara H. Bailey on October 8, 1983, and they were married for 38 years. Sylmer accepted the Lord under the leadership of the late Reverend Ervin Williams at Dickerson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Millsboro, Delaware. He was a dedicated Trustee and member of the Men’s Choir. One of his favorite hymns was “I am Redeemed.” After his retirement, Sylmer enjoyed taking care of the church and doing lawn care for family and friends. His favorite time was shared with his family, attending family reunions, sports events, rabbit hunting, and watching westerns. Sylmer was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. Sylmer was preceded in death by one sister, Laura Bell Ward; three brothers, Joseph Rainey, Jr., Matthew Rainey, and Nathaniel Rainey; and one son, Keith Haynes. Sylmer will be lovingly remembered by his devoted and loving wife, Barbara H. Rainey of Millsboro, DE; one daughter, Paula Pinkett (Marlowe) of Millsboro, DE; two sons, Sylmer Rainey, Jr. (Ida) of Lewes, DE and Lee Haynes, Sr. (Kathy) of Delmar, MD; 10 grandchildren, LaSonya Snead (Clay) of Millsboro, DE, Sunder Copes, Jr. of Millsboro, DE, Lashawnda Collick of Georgetown, DE, Sylmer Rainey, III of Princess Anne, MD, Anthony Tolliver of Georgetown, DE, Evony Rainey of Princess Anne, MD, Comesha Haynes of Bridgeville, DE, Lyndsey Haynes of Havelock, NC, Keith Wise (Maria) of Berlin, MD and Lee Haynes, Jr. (Leila) of LA; 24 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Earl Haynes, Sr. (Betty) of Bedford Hills, NY; one special longtime friend, Bobby Leonard of Bishopville, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.