Dr. Paul Rainey

Paul Rainey was born on August 9, 1944, to the late Sam and Bobbie Lee Rainey Sr. in Mount Holly, AR. He departed this Life on February 11, 2023, at the Medical Center of South Arkansas in El Dorado, AR.

He joined New Hope Baptist Church at an early age and later united with Morning Star Baptist Church #2. Paul served at Morning Star as a church treasure; he was ordained as a deacon and then accepted his call to preach in 1994. He continued to serve at Morning Star Baptist Church #2 until July 2000, when the Lord blessed him to start United Baptist Church. As history would have it, Paul later accepted an invitation to join the Liberty Baptist Association, making United Baptist Church their first black associate. Paul attended the United Seminary Bible College in Monroe, LA obtaining his bachelor's and master's degrees. He started a branch of the United Seminary Bible College in El Dorado, AR, in 1999; as the president, he continued his education, receiving his Doctoral Degree.

Paul was known for his over 50 years of extraordinary service and dedication as the owner and operator of Paul's Upholstery Shop, the Brothers of Gusher Lodge #560 awarded this honor to Paul on January 14, 2023. He was also the entrepreneurial type investing in properties, trying his hands crafting with leather, crafting with wood, or crafting on ceramic.

If you asked him what he loved to do, he would say, "Preaching, riding his Honda Goldwing, sitting on the front porch, and taking a good nap.

On June 07, 1980, Paul married Laverne Furlough-Gray (Vern). Through Life's trials, they were blessed with 43 years of marriage and 45 years together.

Paul was preceded in death by five brothers: Timmy, S.J. Culp, John Culp, Eddie Rainey, and Sam Rainey Jr., and one sister: Ethel Lee Palmer.

His loving memories will be cherished by his wife (Vern), Laverne Rainey of El Dorado, AR. Daughters, La Quita Rainey (Curtis) of El Dorado, AR, Barbara (Kennon) Rainey-Bouldwin of Pflugerville, TX, and Christa Rainey of El Dorado, AR. Bonus sons: Arnold (Ann) Furlough of El Dorado, AR, and Brian A. Gray of Harker Heights, TX. Bonus daughters: Ingrid (Bryant) Trapp of Harker Heights, TX, and Sonya Smith of Conway, AR. One brother Jerry Rainey of El Dorado, AR, and one sister: Francis Gray, of Los Angeles, CA. Paul was blessed to have twenty grandchildren: thirteen great-grandchildren, along with a host of special nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.