Paul Dexter Rainey

Paul Dexter Rainey, 84, of Cleveland, MS, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

There is no doubt that he was greeted with open arms by his wife, Toni, who passed Valentine’s Day of 2022 after almost 54 yrs of marriage. Paul often shared about how he looked forward to the days they would reunite in heaven.

Paul was born June 18, 1941, at home in Belzoni, MS to Walter B. and Juanita Mitchell Rainey. He grew up on Gooden Lake and always loved sharing stories and going back for visits through the years. He and Toni built their first home there before moving to Cleveland, MS.

You could say The Delta was in his blood, and so was his love for anything and everything ag! His long career in agricultural irrigation led him down many dirt roads and turn rows to farmers across MS Delta and beyond. He didn’t use a map and often learned the farms by simple landmarks of “a tree line” here or a “sharpe curve in the road” there. He enjoyed his drilling teams, co-workers, and farmers. He often recalled wells he either “figured on”, designed, or drilled during drives even later in life. He took pride in his work and knowing the “land” and never seemed to meet a stranger. Paul enjoyed hunting throughout the years at Arcadia Hunting Club and then Island 66 Hunting Club. The friends he met through hunting were always held close to his heart and considered part of his family. After retiring…Paul enjoyed helping at Twin Ridge Farms.

Paul was both a Shriner and a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Masonic Lodge #547.

He is predeceased by his wife Toni Gregg Rainey of Winona, MS; His parents, Walter B. Rainey and Juanita Mitchell Rainey of Belzoni, MS; brother, Prentiss Rainey; and sisters Linda Rainey Stewart and Betty Rainey Duett.

He is survived by his two daughters, Paula Rainey Weaver (Dennis Weaver, III) of Brandon, MS, and Robin Rainey McKnight (Nat McKnight) of Cleveland, MS. Grandchildren, Nathan “Rhett” and Rainey “Reid” McKnight, as well as Gregory “Cade” and Robin Elizabeth Weaver, along with a host of nieces and nephews.

He was known as Papaw DD to his beloved grandchildren. Paul was proud to be the grandfather to two sets of twins! His grandchildren were the light of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church, 318 South Court St., Cleveland, MS 38732.