Rainey L. Hood was born January 14, 1954, the 5 th child of 7 children of Otis Hood and Alice Beasley Hood. He was born on a very rainy day, thus how he got the name "Rainey" which was given to him by his siblings, Susie Annette Hood and Billy Joe Hood. He wanted to die on a rainy day, except God had different thoughts and plans than he did. Rainey joined the Jackson Spring Hill Baptist Church at an early age.

Rainey attended St. Louis Elementary School, Tyler, Texas. As a first grader, Rainey insisted that he had to wear white shirts that were starched and ironed. Being the good mother that she was, Alice Hood made sure he had starched and perfectly ironed white shirts to wear to school every day of his 1st grade school year. He was the most dressed up kid in school. Rainey attended Stewart Junior High School, Tyler, Texas where
he initially started out playing football, but soon discovered that he was too small for this sport. After that he joined the Stewart Junior High band where he played the French Horn. After he graduated from junior high, he attended Emmett Scott High School for one year and there he joined the band and played the French Horn. Because of integration he was transferred to Robert E. Lee High School where he continued to participate in the band. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Tyler, Texas in May 1972.

After high school he entered the United States Army, where he served as Staff Sargent General - E6, serving two tours in West Berlin, Germany. While in the military he received the National Defense Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Expert Badge with M-16 Rifle Bar accommodation, and a Good Conduct Medal 2D Award. During his service Rainey's military education included Combat Area Surveillance Radar Repair, and Field Radio Repair certification. He was Honorably Discharged on February 12, 1982.

After his military service, Rainey worked for the City of Dallas, Water Department for several years, and from there he was employed by the VA Medical Center, now known as the VA North Texas Health Care System, in the Bio-Med (Engineering) Department, as a Bio-Med Equipment Technician for the entire Dallas VA hospital system. He received Department of Veterans Affairs Service Awards in appreciation of his dedicated service to the United States Government. At the VA, he was a member of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Union where he served as Health and Safety Officer. He retired from the Department of Veteran Affairs, VA North Texas Health Care System on his birthday, January 14, 2016, after 27 years and 5 months.

Rainey loved working with electronics, his hands, and was continuously looking for ways to improve things and make everyday tasks easier and more efficient. He was not afraid to tackle any task, from electrical to electronics to masonry, carpentry, and automotive, etcetera. He was not afraid to develop new skills. Family, friends, and neighbors could call on him for help with electronics and he'd immediately respond and resolve their issues or concerns. If he didn't know how to do something, he'd research the job or task and find out how to do it and then get it done. Rainey was very meticulous and organized. He had lots of recommendations for manufactured products. There were lots of products we use every day that he thought needed to be improved or could be more efficient. His sisters kept him busy, and he always got the jobs done. Rainey was endeavoring to do for others even unto death. He always said that he wanted to do for himself until he couldn't. Rainey accomplished his mission; he finished his course.

Rainey was married to Edith W. Hood of West Berlin, Germany. After the marriage dissolved, he met Joy Johnson and they had two beautiful children. He later married Deborah Gersh, who preceded him in death. Rainey transitioned on July 19, 2023. His father, Otis Hood; mother, Alice Beasley Hood; brothers, Travis DeWayne Hood, Sr., and Billy Joe Hood, and his nephew, Jack McKinley Ross, also preceded him in death.

Cherishing Rainey's precious memories: his son, Robin Hood (Arielle) of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter, Alice Morris (Stavros) of Burleson, Texas; significant other, Carolyn Green of Tyler, Texas; sisters, Susie A. Hood-Johnson of Dallas, Texas, Jacquelyn Hood and Nyta Rochelle Hood Fields of Tyler, Texas; brother, Dr. Otis DeWitt Hood, Jr., of Tyler, Texas; along with family members Thomas Johnson, III (Jennifer), Julianne Johnson, and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.