Mae Della Johns Rainey, the daughter of the late Oscar Johns and Levada Reed Johns was born in Elks Township of rural Stoddard County in Missouri on April 18, 1953.
Mae, as she was called by family and friends, although not the baby girl, was a favorite of her Aunt Sarah and Uncle Eulis. They spoiled her and she spent many days with them being doted on.
When she was old enough, she started Smith School where she excelled as a cheerleader. When the schools became integrated, she was enrolled in Bernie Public Schools where she completed eighth grade.
Like many in the sixties, there was one house where the kids would hang out, this was the Johns’ house. At this house there was always a basketball game in progress. Now, McKinley, not being a basketball player, would follow the other boys to the Johns’ house. There he and Mae found that they kind of liked one another. The attraction grew to where they began taking walks together and spending more time in each other's company.
Mae and Mckinley fancied themselves to be in love. Mae at the age of 14 and McKinley at the age of 17 decided to get married on March 14, 1968, before her family moved to St. Louis. This union lasted 55 years.
McKinley decided to join the Marines in order to take care of his young bride. While in the service Mckinley and Mae lived on El Torro Base in Santa Ana, California.
Mae and Mckinley were blessed with two daughters by birth, Karen Denise (Candi) who preceded them in death and Della Deloris (DeeDee) (Steven) who live in Malden.
Mae and McKinley also raised two sons, McKinley Rainey (Un Yong) of Seattle, Washington, and Dr. Gordon Rainey (Christy) of San Antonio, Texas.
After McKinley’s stint in the Marines, the young family decided to move back to Missouri to be closer to family. They made a home in St Louis, but after about a year decided to return to the Bootheel.
Upon returning to Parma, Mae and McKinley both found jobs working at Inland Shoe Factory. Mae worked at Inland for about eight years where she excelled at running a stamp machine.
After much thought Mae and McKinley decided that she would become a stay-at-home mom.
While raising their children, Mae was known as auntie, momma, and grandma to many of the neighborhood children. Many made their way to see Auntie Mae Della.
Mae enjoyed life and she loved people. She was an avid card player, loved fill in the blank puzzles, bingo, scratch offs and listening to music. She also enjoyed fishing until she was unable to go.
Although Mae was not able to attend church regularly, she was a member of Bread of Life Ministries in Parma. She was a generous person, always willing to help those in need.
On January 16, 2024, Mae left us at the age of 70 years, 9 months and 28 days. To some that may seem old, but to those of us she left behind it was not a sufficient amount of time.
Take time to pray for her husband McKinley, who made and kept the promise to her parents that he would take care of their daughter and was with her until she drew her last breath.
The siblings she leaves behind are Charley and Ronnie Johns, Cathy (Willie) Rainey and Brenda Hardin all of St Louis, Dorothy (Tom) Vandiver of Barbiton, Ohio, Wanda Williamson of Akron, Ohio, and Pastor Teresa (Kenny) Campbell of Cape Girardeau.
Her grandchildren Krystal, Nason (Brittney), Breon, Keisha, McKinley Oscar, Mia, McKinley, Beyonce, Jacob, Maenique, Ella, Benjamin, her goddaughter Syreeta, and her special friend Natoya (Nikki) Johnson will share the loss of affection that comes with her passing.
Mae’s parents Oscar and Levada Johns, along with her siblings, Sammy, Otis, Willie, Minnie and Edna, all preceded her in death.
This obituary is just a synopsis of Mae Della’s life. Words cannot express who she is and was to so many people. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother and friend. All these words are who Mae Della was, but the one word that describes her legacy is love.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, January 22, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Carl Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
