Sylmer Clemon Rainey Sr., longtime truck driver
Sylmer Clemon Rainey Sr., 84, of Millsboro, departed this life peacefully Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, at the Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center in Millsboro. He was born Oct. 21, 1937, in Pungoteague, Accomack County, Va., the son of the late Joseph Rainey and Mamie Ashby.
Sylmer was the youngest of five children. He was preceded in death by one sister, Laura Bell Ward; three brothers, Joseph Rainey Jr., Mathew Rainey, and Nathaniel Rainey; and one son, Keith Haynes.
Sylmer received his education in the Delaware school systems and joined the United States Army Reserves in 1956. Sylmer was employed as a truck driver, which he enjoyed and loved for 40+ years. He was employed at Showell Poultry in Showell, Md., Reed Trucking Company in Milton, and retired at Townsends Inc., now Mountaire Farms in Millsboro. He was known by his friends and family as Tarzan, Jungle Boy or Rainey.
Sylmer was joined in holy matrimony to Barbara H. Bailey Oct. 8, 1983, and they were married for 38 years. Sylmer accepted Lord under the leadership of the late Rev. Ervin Williams at Dickerson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Millsboro. He was a dedicated trustee and member of the Men’s Choir. One of his favorite songs was “I Am Redeemed.”
After retiring, he 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 and sports events, rabbit hunting, and watching westerns. Sylmer was a very loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.
Sylmer will be lovingly remembered by his devoted and loving wife, Barbara H. Rainey of Millsboro; one daughter, Paula Pinkett (Marlowe) of Millsboro; two sons, Sylmer Rainey Jr. (Ida) of Lewes, and Lee Haynes Sr. (Kathy) of Delmar, Md.; 10 grandchildren, LaSonya Snead (Clay) of Millsboro, Sunder Copes Jr. of Millsboro, Lashawnda Collick of Georgetown, Sylmer Rainey III of Princess Anne, Md., Anthony Tolliver of Georgetown, Evony Rainey of Princess Anne, Comesha Haynes of Bridgeville, Lyndsey Haynes of Havelock, N.C., Keith Wise (Maria) of Berlin, Md., and Lee Haynes Jr. (Leila); 24 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; one special longtime friend, Bobby Leonard of Bishopville, Md., and a host of cousins and friends.
Celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 12, at St. John 2nd Baptist Church, 26602 Mt. Joy Road, Millsboro. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to service. To offer words of comfort and sign the guest book, visit benniesmithfuneralhome.com. Professional service entrusted to Bennie Smith, Millsboro.
