Mrs. Zaneta Joi Rainey-Lightfoot

Zaneta Joi Rainey-Lightfoot was born on June 25, 1984 to Fred and Brenda Rainey in Decatur, GA. Joi was the youngest of two daughters. Even as child, Joi’s unique personality was a characteristic that served her well into her adulthood. Joi’s personal relationship with Christ at a very young age was the bedrock of her life. As a result, she was active in her church, theAssembly of God Tabernacle. There she completed the Missionettes program and achieved Honor Star status. As she grew older, she participated in and volunteered in the children’schurch program, youth ministry, choir, nursery, and the sign language ministry.

Joi had a voracious appetite for learning and prided herself on excelling in all areas of education.  As a graduate of Dunwoody High school class of 2002, Joi received a special financial endorsement diploma seal. Joi went on to attend EmmanuelCollege, where she graduated as Valedictorian, with her Associates degree in General Education in 2004. She alsograduated from Emmanuel College two years later Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education. Joi finished her studies by earning her Master’s degree from Walden University in 2011, studying Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas.  

Joi began her career teaching English, Literature, and Drama at Rockdale High School. She later went on to teach at Stockbridge High School and Woodland High School in Henry Countybefore becoming an online teacher at GA Piedmont Technical College. She more recently worked briefly with Primerica in financial planning. 

Joi married in 2010. 

Joi’s hobbies and interests included reading, writing, traveling, painting, crochet, crafts, cooking, coaching cheerleading and dance, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Joi fought her last battle with Sickle Cell Disease on Sunday, February 10, 2019.  She was surrounded by family and friends, and she was welcomed to her eternal home at 4:15 PM. 

Joi is survived by her mother, Brenda Hooks Beal; her sister, Fawn Rainey; her goddaughters, Jocelyn “Josie” Bailey and Gabrielle “Gabby” Abrams; her uncle, Larry Hooks; her aunt, Harriet Hooks; her uncle and aunt, Desmond and ZandraWilliams and her uncle, Renardo Shaun Rainey. She is also survived by many cousins: Angela Rainey, Andre Rainey, Jarvisand Keomeshia Cloud Sr., Joycelyn Cloud, Jamal Cloud, Donald and Zondria Hooks-Phillips, and Larry “Chip” Hooks Jr., along with the Hooks, Buckner, Hardy, Williams, Edwards, London, Starks, Harris, Bell, Lee, Person, Davis, Henry families.

Joi is preceded in death by her grandparents, Nathaniel and Evelyn Streets, Joyce O’neil, Otis and Harriet Rainey, and her father, Fred Rainey. She is also preceded in death by Uncle James Rainey, Aunt Mary Brown, and Cousin Harry Ramsey.

***Joi left her loved ones a letter to find describing her wishes which are outlined in her Celebration of Life service***

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