Sara (Bankhead) Rainey

Mrs. Sara Bankhead Rainey, 89, of 22 Maiden Lane, York, SC completed her earthly journey on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with dementia.  The oldest of ten children, she was born October 20, 1930 in Hickory Grove, SC to the late Willie, Sr., and Martha Meeks Bankhead.

Sara attended schools in Chester and York Counties, graduating from Finley High School in Chester, SC and Friendship Junior College in Rock Hill, SC.

She was employed at Tylon and Sullivan Carson in York, SC.  She was a faithful member of Mt. Zion AME Zion Church in Hickory Grove, SC, serving as Class Leader for many years, and for a brief period on the Usher Board.  She also served on the Missionary Society and Stewardess Board.

Sara was an affectionate person in her community, helping to raise many children, especially the boys and three special adopted daughters: Patricia Patton, Alvina Jefferies, and Wanda Reid.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Howard Rainey; two brothers, Johnnie Bankhead and Willie Floyd Bankhead, Jr.; two sisters, Tecola B. Isom and Willie Meg Johnson; a son-in-law, Paul A. Darby; and two brothers-in-law, Marshall Rawlinson and John Robert Sanders.

Sara is survived by one daughter, Lisa A. Darby of York, SC; two sons, William D. Rainey (Hayvonia) and Craig Rainey (Dorothy) both of York, SC; three sisters, Baby Ray Sanders, Magdalene Rawlinson both of York, SC, and Arby D. Bankhead of West Palm Beach, FL; two brothers, Stancy L. Bankhead (Ollie) and H. Carl Bankhead both of Hickory Grove, SC; three sisters-in-law, Rose H. Bankhead of San Jose, CA, Geneva Bankhead of York, SC, and Geneva Watson of Aiken, SC; a nephew, Ronald Watson (Christine) of Anderson, SC; three grandchildren, Jabbar Rainey, Chavis Darby and Marquirta Brown; seven great-grandchildren, Eriyonia Rainey, Tiana Darby, Devine Byers, Derayven Rawlinson, Detorien Rawlinson, Makenzie Rainey, and King Darby; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  She also leaves two special cousins, Jettlue Meeks and Sarah McKnight.

Special thanks to her caregiver, Leora Marron, and all the doctors and staff at Agape Hospice!

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