Joanna Rainey

Joanna Rainey, a long-time resident of Highlands, died May 10 at Mission Hospital of pneumonia.

She was born in Elberton, Ga., Nov14, 1925.

Having earned a master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan, Joanna taught for a brief time in Washington, Ga., before becoming a Music Educator for the Fulton County Board of Education (Atlanta.) Within her 28-year tenure there, she was presented with the Distinguished Career Award from the Georgia Music Educators Association in 1990.

Following retirement, she relocated to her favorite village of Highlands and being the devout Episcopalian, found volunteering at the Church of Incarnation her pride and joy. There she started the Parish Post as well as its first choir. She was involved with the Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival for more than 35 years, where she served as co-president four of those years.

Joanna loved the arts, opera, chamber music, cooking, and especially socializing.

She is survived by great nieces and nephews throughout the southeast and a multitude of fans and friends throughout the world. She was a grand lady, so loved.

Memorial services to be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Incarnation, P.O. Box 729, Highlands, NC 28741 or The Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, P.O. Box 1702, Highlands, NC 28741.

Bryant Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Rainey family. Online condolences can be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joanna Rainey, please visit our floral store.