Kenneth R Rainey, Sr.

Funeral Services for Mr. Kenneth R. Rainey, Sr. will begin at 12:00 PM Friday, July 10, 2026, at Evangel Temple Church with Reverend Mike Boles officiating. Entombment will follow graveside rites at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. The Rainey Family will receive guests for a time of visitation from 10:00 AM until 11:45 AM prior to funeral rites at the church. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Kenneth Ray Rainey, Sr. (Ken), 86, passed away at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, MS, on Monday, July 6, 2026, surrounded by family members. He faced many health challenges but remained active in the entertainment industry and in promoting Meridian.

He was born and raised in Meridian, MS. A lifelong lover of country music, he turned his passion into a remarkable career as a radio broadcaster and owner of several radio stations. His dedication to preserving and promoting country music left a lasting impact on the community and the industry. He played an instrumental role in the production of The Jimmie Rodgers Festival, helping bring numerous nationally recognized country music artists to Meridian. Through his vision, enthusiasm, and love for the genre, he helped celebrate the legacy of “The Father of Country Music” while creating unforgettable experiences for countless fans. Rainey has long been a leading advocate for preserving and restoring Meridian’s historic Temple Theater. He was well-respected in the music industry as a talent scout, helping to open doors for performers and songwriters.

He was exceptionally proud of his large family. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Cheryl Goodling Rainey, and their six children, son Kevin Rainey (Gift), and daughters Paige Flynt (George), DeeAnn Truelove (Bobby), Dana Nicholson (Ricky), J.J. Haarala (Bo), and Kelley Futch (Craig).

He was “Papaw” to 16 grandchildren, Andy Rainey, Ashley Hodge (Greg), Amber Williams (Anthony), Nikki Rainey, Ken Rainey III, John Michael McDonald (Juliet), Rod McDonald (Ashley), Matt Truelove, Clay Truelove, Preston Nicholson (Anna), Alex Nicholson (Amanda), Rainey Nicholson, Ridge Haarala (Mollie), Lauren Noe (Zack), Jordan Futch and Rainey Futch.

He has 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild – and a Goldendoodle named Drew Brees. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Hallie Goodling Phillips and Janet Goodling Barry, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Tom Rainey and Cora Bell Rainey; his son, Ken Rainey Jr. and his siblings, Henry Tom Rainey Jr., Jim Rainey, Edward Rainey, Billy Rainey, Frances Johns and Bobbye Jean Imbragulio.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Rainey be made to Hope Village for Children at https://www.hopevillagems.org/donate/. 

Online condolences may be expressed at robertbarhamffh.com.