Anniston District - C.M.E. Church

Lilly A. Rainey is a native of Prattville, Alabama and is the only daughter of six children born to Robert and Fannie Albright. After moving to Birmingham, Alabama and marrying Eric Rainey, she joined Metropolitan C.M.E. Church. They have three children: Alecia (LaDerick) Underwood, Erica, and Jordan.  They are the proud grandparents of Austin, Avery, and Alayna Underwood.

Rev.  Lilly A. Rainey was licensed to preach by Presiding Elder Sidney Hill, Sr. in 1997. Bishop Paul A. G. Stewart ordained her Deacon in 1998 and Elder in 1999.  

During the 1997-1998 Annual Conference, she was assigned as pastor of Welcome Chapel C.M.E. Church, Hobson City, AL. With God's help  and  under her leadership, Welcome Chapel experienced some great changes. The church received an awesome financial donation that allowed them to embark on a renovation of the sanctuary. The sanctuary was literally gutted and insulation was installed.  New drywall, lights, carpets, chancel rail, pews, tile floors in the vestibule, new restrooms and hot water were installed. The church was also blessed  with a new organ and they were able to hire an organist. The church experienced a growth in membership that included many youths and for the first time in many years, a youth choir was formed.  

During the 2001-2002 Annual Conference, she was assigned as pastor of Saint James C.M. E. Church in Jasper, AL. Saint James was also blessed with an awesome financial donation that paid their annual conference assessments in full her first year.   During her tenure, the church was also donated a digital piano and other renovations and repairs were made. 

During the 2003-2004 Annual Conference, Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III appointed Rev.  Lilly A. Rainey as the Presiding Elder of the Anniston District. This appointment made her the first female to serve in this capacity within the Birmingham Region of the Fifth Episcopal District.

Presiding Elder Rainey has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Faulkner University. She earned a degree of Juris Doctor  from Birmingham School of Law on May 24, 2009. She is an entrepreneur and owner of a homebuilding company. As a licensed homebuilder in the state of Alabama, she is licensed for residential and light commercial construction. She was the first minority to become a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Birmingham Association of Homebuilders where she served for three years. She also served on the membership and government affairs committees.

Presiding Elder Rainey is certified as a professional development trainer. She is certified to hold seminars on diversity, conflict resolution, etiquette, how to dress for success and many other topics on professionalism.

Presiding Elder Rainey was included in the 2006 premier edition of Who’s Who in Black Birmingham.