Paul “Doug” Rainwater, Sr.

Paul Douglas Rainwater Sr, 93, of Springfield, TN died peacefully under Alive Hospice care after a short illness at his home in Springfield, TN on October 27, 2022. He was born May 28, 1929, in Orlinda, TN, son of Henry Kenneth and Buena Vista (Fulton) Rainwater.

Doug graduated from Coopertown High School and University of Tennessee at Martin in 1950 and married Dorothy Ann Wilks Rainwater. After retiring as manager from the Nashville Oil Mill, Doug and Ann moved from Nashville to their farm in Springfield, TN where he raised cattle and a garden with fresh Silver Queen corn, Bradley tomatoes, and October beans. He loved vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce, especially homemade, and always carried black and white chapstick, a handkerchief, and peppermints in the pockets of his khaki work clothes or black suit and white shirt on Sunday. He kept a pony named Snuggles with a buggy for grandkids to ride, enjoyed early morning Bass fishing with family on Kentucky Lake, watching old westerns, bird hunting, and volunteering his time at Bellshire UMC and New Chapel UMC. Often a prankster, he liked betting "always a quarter" with just about anyone - his most infamous being " bet you can't guess what I caught in my cage." It was a skunk. And if you ever spent a day working alongside him, Doug would reward you with a delicious bologna sandwich. In his golden years, after the passing of his beloved wife and soulmate of 49 years, he was blessed to marry and share 19 years with Charlotte Mae Roden Payne Rainwater. Her family lovingly provided him with a second family of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Harry (Olivene) Rainwater of Springfield and Gerald (Peggy) Rainwater of Greenbrier, and stepson, Steve Wayne Payne of Goodlettsville. Surviving in addition to his wife, Charlotte, are his daughters, Sara Jane Rainwater (Bill) McDowell of Tazewell, Betty Douglas Rainwater Raetzel of White House, Judy Ann Rainwater (David) Todd of Hendersonville, and son, Paul Douglas Rainwater Jr of Springfield. Doug's 9 grandchildren include Julie McDowell (Ricky) Roberts, Lori McDowell (Vincent) Fiorentino, Eric (Melissa) McDowell, Jenny Raetzel (Mike) Cameron, John (Briana) Raetzel, Carrie Todd, Whitney Todd (Trey) Bollinger, Christie Rainwater (Tom) Greever, and Kellye (Luara) Rainwater. He was blessed with 15 great grandchildren including Connor Roberts, Brodie Roberts, Vince Jolly, Victoria Fiorentino, Ella Fiorentino, Elijah McDowell, Natalie Wright, Dylan Wright, Oliver Raetzel, Chloe Raetzel, Luke Lewis, Eleanor Lewis, Elizabeth Bollinger, George Bollinger, and Braxton Greever. His extended family includes stepchild, Karen Payne (Dave) Gomer of Hendersonville; step grandchildren, Jessica Payne (Justin) Poss, Christine Payne (Rodderick) Dobson, Alex Gomer, and Alyson Gomer (Zach) Martin; and step great grandchildren, Brileigh Poss, Mason Poss, James Dobson, and Jessie Dobson.

As Doug and Charlotte's health declined amid COVID, caregivers lovingly supported him in his last few days, especially Taylor and Lauren.

Visitation with the family on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 beginning at 9 AM will precede the funeral service scheduled for 11:00 AM at Robertson County Funeral Home.. Burial will follow in Springfield Memorial Gardens with John Raetzel, Mike Cameron, Tom Greever, Brad Wright, Alex Gomer, and Wilbur Smith serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Roberts, Vincent Fiorentino, Eric McDowell, Trey Bollinger, Justin Poss, Rodderick Dobson, Zach Martin, and Dave Gomer.

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