Mr. Jerry Mario Rayner, son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend departed this life on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY at 12:53pm.

Jerry, also known as “Lil Jer” received his high school education from Portsmouth Public Schools, graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1988. Jerry really loved participating in the Wilson High School Marching Band where he was mascot. Graduating from Norfolk State University in 1994 with a B.A. in Mass Communications, Virginia State University in 1996 with a B.S. in Education and received his first Masters from New York University and a second Masters from St. John’s University, New York. He also earned a Masters in Education and Special Education from Touro College in 2011.

He academically prepared himself to work in the field of education because he wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people. He realized that with the right mentoring and direction, young lives could accomplish great things. He taught in the New York School System for 24 years. He began in September 1996 at P.S. 24 and Middle School 143, George J. Ryan Middle School 216Q in Fresh Meadows, NY.

Jerry loved music and lived a life full of adventure, joy and love. Jerry was a jokester and he loved to laugh to joke. He was a meticulous dresser and paid close attention to details and wanted things done right. He also loved to sing and dance. During his days as a child and teenager, he participated in the Sunshine Choir, Intermediate Choir and the Youth Usher Board at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Portsmouth, (under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Ben A. Beamer, Sr. ) where he and his family were longtime members .

He was predeceased by his paternal grandmother Mrs. Rowena Rayner, paternal grandfather Theodore Rayner and his maternal grandmother Mrs. Geraldine Hawkins, an infant brother, his father Jerry R. Rayner, one uncle – Franklin Rayner and four aunts – Velma Bullock, Patricia Hawkins, Yvonne Brown and Minister Joyce K. Martin

Jerry is survived by his mother Geraldine M. Rayner, one sister Tanya L. Rayner and one brother Reginald Rayner of Portsmouth, VA. Seven aunts – Ruth Snead, Annette, Portica, Valeria, Sharon Hawkins, Cindy Gilmore and Shirly King (Manny) and five uncles – John Keeling, Sr. (Wyona), Willie D. Martin, Richard (Gloria) MIlton and Arthur Rayner and a plenty of cousins, friends and co-workers.