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James Waverly Rainey
November 26, 1955 - December 12, 2018
James Waverly Rainey, 63, of Douglasville, Georgia passed away Wednesday, December 12, 2018,
after a long battle of declining health. He is now free of pain and in eternal peace. He was born
November 26, 1955 in Wilmington, North Carolina, the son of Kathryn Lewis Rainey and the late
Harry Graham Rainey.
Waverly graduated from Pfeiffer College with his Bachelor of Arts in Religion. Later, he received his
Master’s Degree in Church Music with an emphasis in voice and conducting from Scarritt College in
Nashville, Tennessee.
Waverly loved music and used it to express his faith and give back to the community in many ways.
His interest in music was influenced by his mother, Kathy Rainey, and his maternal ancestor, Lamar
Stringfield, founder of the North Carolina Symphony and its first conductor. For 30 years, Waverly
brought joy to children, youth and adults by teaching them how to sing, play the piano, and play the
guitar.
Waverly went after his dreams with courage, confidence and passion. In 1987, the West Atlanta
Douglas Choral Society, Inc. (WADCS) was established with charter members Waverly Rainey,
William Callaway and Mary Faye Otwell in Douglasville, Georgia. As the Artistic Director/Conductor
of the chorale, Waverly lead his singers in so many beautiful Christmas and Easter/Spring concerts
with guest artists including Mr. Hector Olivera (world-renowned concert organist) and The United
States Army Ground Forces Concert Band which performs for the President of the United States.
The chorale performed in local churches and schools, at The Lighting of the Rich’s Great Tree at
Underground Atlanta, in Saint Philip Cathedral in Atlanta,Georgia, and in the State Capitol of
Georgia for the United States of America Commemoration of Vietnam War fallen, missing and living
veterans.
“Waverly, now you have your beautiful baritone voice back and can sing your favorite hymns and
songs with an orchestra or sing a John Denver song playing your guitar.” said Mary FayeOtwell.
Thirty-three years ago Waverly met Mary Faye Otwell, who has been his angel and loving
companion ever since. For many years, Wave Watermelon and Mary Marshmallow taught swimming
lessons every summer to people from four years old to 76 years old. Waverly and Mary Faye tried to
take away the fear of swimming by giving each beginner swimmer a fun nickname, like Thomas
Tomato and Josh Jellybean, and make swimming lessons fun by saying things like “Let me see your
chipmunk cheeks!”
Survivors include Waverly’s loving, devoted companion, Mary Faye Otwell of Douglasville,Georgia,
his mother, Kathryn Lewis Rainey of Durham, North Carolina, sister and brother-in-law, Mary and
Jeff Arritt of Richmond, Virginia, and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins.
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Robert Martin III
Waverly and I grew up just a few houses apart. We were close friends growing up but we parted ways after high school. In our neighborhood the kids gave each other nick names. The most cruel, demorilizing, hurtful names we could think of. We had "Porky", "Buzzsaw", "Pickle Puss", "Stick", "Scruffy" (named after the dog in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir), and "Arnold" (After the pig on Green Acres). Waverley's nickname was "Beak", because of his prodigious nose. We also called him "Weany" (I won't go there.) . My nickname was "Head" Because my large head did not match my skinny body. Today my body now matches my head.
Waverly was the best of us. He was a straight up good person. I will miss him at out next reunion.
Barbara Beard
Robert, you are correct. Waverly was a straight-up guy all the way. The only times we talked were when we were coming from Atlanta to a high school reunion, but we did a lot of catching up during those times. He was gracious, thoughtful, quite talented, and accomplished. Yes, he will be missed at the upcoming reunion.
Beth Whitfield (Stansbury)
Waverly and I were in Ms. Stallings 6th grade class at Holt. She invited him to bring his guitar to class and sing for us! He was talented then!! He was always such a kind person throughout our school years. I always enjoyed catching up with him at the class reunions. It made me sad to learn of his passing.
Kathryn Buschman (Hoover)
I have fond memories of Waverly singing & playing John Denver tunes...he had the perfect voice for them!
I think I remember going to visit with a couple of friends for a play up at Pfeiffer, probably in 1976.
I remember his dad too, from his long association at Duke. My mom also worked there, and both were institutions for a long time!
Hopefully, he's still singing up in heaven, I know my mom Barbara would love hearing him again, as she passed in May of 2018 at nearly 94. He sang at a new years party at my house!
Best wishes to the family, Waverly left an impression on me!
Kathy (Buschman) Hoover
Robert Martin III
I got Waverly's phone number down in Georgia. I used to call and leave messages on his answering machine. Not words but sounds. The sounds of a running joke that only a few of us knew. I will no describe it but it was perverted.