Dorothy Carol Rainey

DOROTHY CAROL RAINEY

(June 23, 1928 – January 5, 2022)
Dorothy “Sally” Carol Rainey passed away on January 5, 2022 in Bakersfield, CA. She was 93
years old.
Sally was the third-generation matriarch of the pioneer Burke family in Kern County. She grew
up on the Standard Oil Lease and graduated from Kern County Union High School in 1946. Sally
completed her education at UC Berkeley, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1950.
In 1951, Sally married Harold Rainey and celebrated 43 years together until his death in 1994.
Harold worked for Unocal for 37 years and was the Bakersfield Regional Manager of Human
Resources. They had two children Burke and Patrick Rainey.
Sally was a dedicated, long-time educator who received Life Elementary and Junior High
Teaching Credentials. She was recognized as an enthusiastic teacher who combined
professional ethics with an intuitive sense for meeting the needs of her students.
Sally taught in Shafter, CA for two years before traveling to Europe to accompany Harold, who
was in the Air Force. Their first son, Burke, was born in 1953 while the family resided in
England. Upon their return, Sally worked for the South Whittier School District for 30 years.
Their second son, Patrick, was born in 1957. The boys were raised in Whittier and Hacienda
Heights during this time.
Upon retiring from teaching in 1990, the Raineys returned to Bakersfield. Sally was an active
volunteer in the Bakersfield community and served as a Board Member for BARC, organized
programs at the Assistance League, and established the Harold Rainey Memorial Scholarship at
Bakersfield High. One of her proudest achievements was serving on the Grand Jury in 1992-1993.
Family was very important to Sally. She delighted in road trips across the Southwest, her son
Burke’s cooking and art, and her only grandson Sean’s music career. Most admirably Sally
dedicated almost 65 years of her life to her son Patrick, who is intellectually disabled. With her
guidance he became an active and contributing member of society.
Sally is survived by her son Patrick Rainey, grandson Sean Rainey and his wife Nisha
Arunasalam, daughter-in-law Ellen Goldblatt, niece Mikie Hay, and other family members and
friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold Rainey, son Burke Rainey, and
brother Jim Burke, founder of Jim Burke Ford Lincoln.
The family would like to thank Sandy Banducci, Kermita Myers, Tom and Betty Holson, and
Thelma O’Meara for their kindness and special friendship to Sally.
A graveside service will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery Northeast (3700 River Blvd. Bakersfield,
CA 93305) on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 10:30am with a reception to follow.