Letha Mae Rainge was born on January 17, 1941, in Hortense, Brantley County, Georgia, to the late Katie Mae Anderson and the late Deacon Daniel Lee Rainge, Sr. She was affectionately called “Shirley” or “Shirl-Ann” by those who knew and loved her. Shirley attended New Hope United Methodist Church in the Brookman Community and Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Nahunta with her family. She received her formal education at Burroughs-Mollette and Risley High Schools in Glynn County. Upon completing high school, she moved to the Bronx, New York, where she furthered her education at Bronx Community College.
- Letha Mae Rainge retired from the New York City Department of Human Services in 2010 after a long administrative career.
- She relocated to Albany, Georgia in 2012 to be closer to family and enjoyed fishing, traveling, cooking, and family time.
- She passed away after a brief, sudden illness on October 27, 2025, reunited with many predeceased family members.
- She is survived by daughters Patricia Savidge and Dr. SaDohl Jones, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and extended family.
Shirley held several administrative positions with the City of New York, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Human Services, which she retired from in 2010. Upon retirement, Shirley relocated to Albany, Georgia, in 2012 to be closer to family. In her leisure, she enjoyed fishing, traveling, cooking, gambling, and spending time with her family.
After a brief and sudden illness, Shirley answered our Master’s Call and departed this Earthly plane on Monday, October 27, 2025. What a joy it must have been to be reunited in her heavenly mansion with her parents, Katie Mae Vail and Deacon Daniel Lee Rainge, Sr.; siblings, Beverly Rainge, Calvin Anderson, Nathaniel Rainge, Thomas Anderson, David Vail, Barbara McCoy, John Henry Rainge, Daniel Rainge, Jr., Carlton Rainge, Lizzie Davis, and Virginia Vail; and granddaughter, Cherletha Shanunte’ Morten.
Fond and loving memories will be forever cherished by all of her loved ones she leaves behind. Shirley is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Joseph) Savidge and Dr. SaDohl (Antoine) Jones; SaDohl’s father, Harold Goldsmith; a bonus daughter, LaToya (Robert) Verdejo; sisters, Mary Ruth Thomas, Faye Mack, Elder Barbara Ann Maefield, Carletha Bryant, and Dr. Louvenia Annette Rainge; and brothers, Deacon Edward (Ruby) Nail, Lester (Sarah) Rainge, Deacon Marshall (Joyce) Rainge, Sr., Curtis (Karen) Rainge, and Jerome (Renee’) Anderson, Sr. She also leaves a legacy of love to continue through her grandchildren, Andre Harris, Torean (Emine) Harris, Jessica Savidge, Heather Savidge, Antoine Jones II, Camille Jones, Brandon Verdejo, and Avery Verdejo; great-grandchildren, Morgan Harris, Ari Harris, Mason Harris, D’Angelo Harris, Valentino Harris, Illyanna Harris, Brandon Vela, Aiden Vela, Bryanna Reyes, and Madyson Reyes; sisters-in-law, Annie Mae Rainge, Reverend Marie Rainge, and Ella (Charlie) McDonald; special babies, Gloria Loud, Tracy Rivers, Kitty Rivers, Eric Williams, Larraquette Burden, Barbara Hayes, Kim France, and Racheal Ramsey; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and sorrowing friends.
More information can be found at Martins Funeral Home.
