Deaner Leatherwood Rainey King

Deaner Leatherwood Rainey King, passed from this world on Thursday, February 4, 2026, at the age of 97. She was born May 14, 1928, in Alcorn County to Jessie Edward and Lillie Dora Leatherwood. A service to celebrate her life will be Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Strickland Church of Christ in Corinth, MS with interment in Oak Hill Cemetery. Bro. Brad Dillingham will officiate the service, with an obituary by Lance Foster. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until service time at Strickland Church of Christ in Corinth, MS. Pallbearers will be Tayler King, Tyler King, Danny Leatherwood, Doug Rainey, Ryan Rainey, Jon Rainey, Keith Calvert, and Vince Vanek. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Mills, Ray Tucker, Jim Perkins, Mackey Wade, Bobby Stevens, John David King, and Jeff Crawford.

Deaner Leatherwood Rainey King was quiet, humble, and deeply dedicated to her family. Not one to seek attention, yet her presence was always felt. She was known for her tender heart, having a strong faith, and a way of loving that didn’t need many words. She showed up—again and again—through care, consistency, and devotion.

If you knew her, you knew her food. Coconut cake, German chocolate cake, breakfast biscuits, homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, and sweet tea were always ready. Her cooking was made from scratch, thoughtful, and generous, just like her. But what she offered was never just food.

Cooking tells a story. It carries tradition, memory, and meaning. It was how she nurtured and gathered people together. Around her table, relationships were tended to, laughter found space, and family felt rooted. Each meal held more than ingredients—it held her heart.

She poured herself into what she made. Seasonings mixed with a lifetime of care. Recipes shaped by years of practice, patience, and love. And those meals did what the best meals do, they made people want to come back. Not just for the food, but for the feeling of being welcomed, known, and cared for.

She was hardworking and frugal, classy and kind. A loving mother and a devoted grandmother. Her faith guided her life, steady and sincere. She didn’t need recognition for her goodness; it was simply who she was.

Her legacy lives on in the memories we carry—in the dishes we recreate, the traditions we keep, the way we gather and love our own families. Every homemade roll, every shared meal, every act of care echoes her example.

Deaner Leatherwood Rainey King is preceded in death by her first husband of 25 years, Colburn Arlon Rainey; her second husband of 26 years, Carroll King; parents, Jessie Edward and Lillie Dora Leatherwood; stepson, David King; grandchildren, Michael Rainey and Stacy Rainey; and brother, Azel Leatherwood.

She leaves behind two sons; Charles Rainey (Linda) and Billy Rainey (Theresa); stepdaughter, Karen Vanek (Vince); 10 grandchildren; Doug Rainey, Ryan Rainey (Lanea), Jon Rainey (Michelle), Ferrin Rainey-Calvert (Keith), Carlynn Rainey-Crawford (Jeff), Wendy King, John David King (Tara), Gracie Vanek, Dawn Laster (Brad) and Matt Dexter; 22 great-grandchildren, MacKenzie Rainey, Isaac Miller, Kayle Miller, Tristen Speight, Emma Rainey, Anthony Rainey, Lily Rainey, Adam Rainey, Abi Rainey, Isabella Rainey, Olivia Rainey, Amelia Rainey, Wes Calvert, Madi Calvert, Tayler King, Tyler King, Reese King, Cole Crawford, Cami Crawford, Tyler Smith (Jenna), Taylor LaFever (Hunter) and Brodie Dexter (Carly); 8 great-great grandchildren; brother, Almous Leatherwood (Nadine); special adopted daughters, Lisa Gant Houry, Gwyn Davis, and Cathy Bennett. 

Deaner Leatherwood Rainey King gave so much of herself, and she did it with grace. We are better because of her. And we will continue to feel her love every time we gather, every time we cook, every time we choose to nurture others the way she did so beautifully.  Magnolia Funeral Home has been honored to serve the family of Deaner Leatherwood Rainey King.