Judy Townsend Rainey

Judy Townsend Rainey, age 73, of Dinwiddie, VA, passed away at her home on August 29, 2023. She was born on June 6, 1950, in Rawlings, VA, to Jefferson Earl and Nellie Mae Foster Townsend. 

Judy graduated from Brunswick High School in 1968.  She continued her education by attending nursing school and completed her training at St. Mary’s Hospital and University of Virginia. Her compassionate nature led her to a career in nursing.  Although she worked in various clinical settings, Judy’s favorite was Labor and Delivery.  She was never happier than when she surrounded herself with babies and children.  

Judy married Charles Abernathy Rainey in 1970 and settled in Dinwiddie County.  Their two daughters, Allison Leigh Rainey and Austin Rainey Hudson, continue to live there on family land.  When her daughters were young, Judy left nursing to dedicate herself to their upbringing.  Once her children were grown, she returned to nursing until she inherited the title of “Nana.”  Her grandchildren Sydney and Tucker Hudson also grew up knowing Judy’s limitless love and care.

Judy and her husband Charles devoted their lives to taking care of others.  When someone in Dinwiddie needed guidance and comfort care, Judy was there to help. For over 20 years, every Sunday she volunteered in the nursery at Lebanon United Methodist Church and treated the little ones there as if they were her own.

Everyone was welcome in her home. Every holiday brought out the best of decorations on display. Judy loved to entertain and feed her children. There was never a stranger and if you happened to be one, you certainly were not one by the time you left. She dressed in bright colors to express her joy and enthusiasm for life. Judy would often be seen wearing colors like lime green and hot pink.

Family was everything to Judy.  Her refrigerator always boasted an entire gallery of magnetic-framed photographs of family and friends.   She was a mother to all, a grandmother to all, and she reflected Christ’s love into her life’s work.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Charles Abernathy Rainey, Jr., and a brother, Wilson Townsend, Sr.  She is survived by her daughters, Allison Leigh Rainey and Austin Rainey Hudson and husband, Jason; grandchildren, Sydney Ann Hudson and Tucker Grey Hudson; sister, June Townsend; brother, Paul Townsend, as well as a countless number of children she considered her own.

Judy’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the friends who gave support and served as caregivers during her illness.

A memorial service and celebration will be held at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 3, 2023, at Williams Funeral Home & Crematory, Lawrenceville, VA. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Since the passing of Charles and her cancer diagnosis, her favorite pastime became baseball. Watching her grandson, Tucker, at Kenston Forest brought a smile to her face. In lieu of flowers, we are requesting a donation be made to Kenston Forest Athletics, 75 Ridge Road, Blackstone, Virginia 23824.