Frances Hargis Rainey

Frances Hargis Rainey, long-time resident of Columbia, died Monday, September 14, 2009 in Knoxville at age 89. She most recently made her home at an assisted living facility in Knoxville to be near her son. A memorial service will be conducted Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Maggie Beamguard officiating. Memorials may be made to the James K. Polk Association, P. O. Box 741, Columbia 38402, Rose Hill Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 1015, Columbia 38402, or the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 1984, Columbia 38402. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. Born January 1, 1920 in Donelson, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Paul D. and Frances Williamson Hargis. She attended Peabody Demonstration School, graduated from Ward-Belmont College, and attended Vanderbilt University. She married Horace "Mule" Rainey, III on May 26, 1939. After briefly living in Kentucky, they returned to Mr. Rainey's family property in Columbia. Mrs. Rainey was active in Historic preservation for over 50 years and was one of the key developers of the heritage tourism industry in Middle Tennessee. In 2005, she received the Tennessee Preservation Trust's very first Lifetime Achievement Award. At the time she was described as, "a true pathfinder in the preservation and conservation of Tennessee's architectural and historic legacy." She was a charter member of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities, as well as the Atheneaum Association. She also served as a founding board member of the Tennessee Heritage Alliance, now known as TPT. Her alliance with the James K. Polk Home in Columbia is a major area of achievement. As a regent of the board, Mrs. Rainey oversaw the conservation and cataloguing of the Presidential Collection. Under her guidance as president of the Polk Association from 1978 - 1982, the home underwent a major restoration with its exterior as it is now recognized being decided upon. She was instrumental in the hiring of the first professional staff at the Polk Home, transitioning its organization from all-volunteer to a professional museum. Mrs. Rainey worked to bring bus tours to the home and helped establish free admission each year on President Polk's birthday, an event which annually draws 300 people to the site. Throughout her nearly seven decades living in Maury County, Mrs. Rainey was active in many local organizations. People knew her as someone who would do anything for anybody. She was especially endeared of the First Presbyterian Church. She was grateful for the fulfilling life it offered her and in return gave the church her time, energy, and passion. She enjoyed gardening and travel. With an eye for style, she sewed her own clothes and those for her daughters. She was renowned as a crackerjack bridge player, having a weekly standing table date for years and always being eager to complete a foursome. Mrs. Rainey is survived by her son, Horace "Brick" Rainey, IV and his wife, Susan, of Knoxville and her daughter, Frances "Pebble" Hager of Klamath Falls, Oregon; granddaughters, Katy Martin Rainey of Blacksburg, Virginia, Cory Davis of Seattle, Washington, Oakley Day and her husband, Chad of Kirkland, Washington, Ericha Hager of Denver, Colorado, and Meredith Hager of Kalmath Falls, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years in 1994 and her daughter, Paula Langschmidt in 1990. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements.