Michael P. ‘Mike’ Rayner, 66, of LaGrange, died Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at West Georgia Medical Center.

Mike was born July 19, 1942 in Hillsboro, TN, son of the late John and Elizabeth Wright Rayner. He accepted Christ at age 18, and spent 37 years living a simple life for Christ and repairing churches as he traveled from town to town on his bicycle. He settled in LaGrange in 1997 and owned and operated More Than Just a Carpenter. He was a member of Rosemont Baptist Church, where he taught the 5th Grade Sunday School Class. He continued his service for Christ as a mentor for the Hope Academy, his Prison Ministries in both Troup and Coweta Counties, and at the Turnaround Christian Center.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Cleaveland Rayner; step-children, Rob and Kim Upchurch and Jane and Joel Upchurch; step-grandchildren, Payton, Trevor, Maggie and Avery Upchurch; brother-in-law, Wesley and Pam Cleaveland; and close friends, Walter and Jewel Cleaveland.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2009 at Rosemont Baptist Church with Rev. Max McCord, Rev. Adam Camp, and Rev. Greg Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Meadoway Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Campus Ministries for Christ, Rosemont Baptist Church; Children’s Department, or to a ministry of your choice in memory of Michael P. Rayner.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road. (706) 884-8636. www.striffler-hamby.com