Recently I made a trip to Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center with Courier editor Don Kirkland. We met with Dina Hair, executive director, and Kirby Winstead, acting president of Baptist Ministries for the Aging. But our focus for the trip was to visit with Agnes Rainey. She worked with the student publications and in public relations while I was a student at Anderson University and Don was public relations director.
Rudy GrayI had lost touch with Mrs. Rainey until I received an e-mail from her daughter, Dr. Linda Kiesel at the University of Kentucky. Mrs. Rainey had “expressed an interest in having you conduct her funeral,” her daughter wrote. I was so moved. I immediately responded and shared what an honor it would be for me to speak at her funeral service.
Shortly before Christmas, I visited with Mrs. Rainey. At that time she mentioned that she would like to see “that boy from the Courier.” I told Don, and we planned a trip to Martha Franks in February. It was just before her 89th birthday. We had a great time reminiscing.
I was the editor of the school paper back then and also had worked on the yearbook. Mrs. Rainey saw potential in me and encouraged me more that I deserved. She was instrumental in getting me my first newspaper job at the Anderson Independent as a sports writer. The only academic award I ever won was in journalism at AU. The publications in those days, as she was quick to point out, won several awards. She was the advisor, counselor, and sometimes mother to many students who worked with her on the publications.
My life was impacted by her encouragement more than I can share in a few words. I was a shy, immature kid who lacked self-confidence. She had so much confidence in me that I began to develop in ways I never thought I would. Her daughter reminded me that she had kept clippings of my columns over the years in The Baptist Courier. I was humbled, to say the least.
People like Agnes Rainey are special. They are God’s tools for touching people and helping them change in healthy and positive ways. After my first visit with her, she said, “I always knew you were going to be a success.” What do you do with people like that? You thank God for them! When I was leaving, I said, “I love you.” Never one to be outdone, she told me three times as I was leaving, “I love you.”
I am grateful for the privilege God has given me to know Agnes Rainey. She is a blessing.