In Loving Memory of
Brent Matthew Rainey
November 1, 1978 – March 20, 2020
Virtual Celebration of Life was held on November 1, 2020 at 4:00 PM EST
A MOTHER’S MEMORIES
BY NANCY S. PALMER
On St. Patrick’s Day in 1978, Brent’s Dad and I had a celebratory lunch in Winter Park, having just learned that we were pregnant. Brent was born on November 1 at Florida Hospital. He was delivered by Cesarean section because he was in a breach position and his shoulders were so wide.
Shoulders so wide that as he grew, his teammates, friends, and clients would lean heavily on them. So would his brothers (Nick Palmer of Alexandria, VA and Greg Rainey of Jacksonville, FL) and his sisters (Mihaela Palmer of Dublin, Ireland, Carley Palmer of Los Angeles, and Joanna Palmer of New Orleans).
As a child, much was expected of Brent. Because of his size and considerable vocabulary, many assumed he was older than he was.
Brent was extremely easy going. He would eat anything, sleep anywhere, and never complain. Those habits never changed. When serving on a mission trip to Mexico City with his stepdad Bill, he would order boiled chicken feet on the street and happily down them.
One of our close friends complained after she had a child that Brent was false advertising for parenthood, since she expected a child as sweet and easygoing as Brent and was rudely awakened to the fact that that was not the case.
Brent and Nick were very close. They both had big imaginations which included dressing up a lot when they were young. Brent was a Gator from the time he was a toddler. The Gainesville newspaper published a picture of him at the homecoming parade in his blue and orange at age three.
Sports were important too. He did soccer and karate. Brent started at Trinity Prep in the sixth grade and played football beginning in his freshman year. Brent would go on to try to walk onto the Florida Gator football team as a freshman there. He made it down to the last few people and was able to keep his shoes and helmet, which he proudly displayed. He rarely missed a game on TV and we talked through every season, including the fall of 2019.
Brent was physically very healthy growing up. The only time he saw a doctor for anything other than regular checkups was when he broke his arm in second grade and when he was knocked out on the football field in high school.
Brent was diagnosed with late onset juvenile diabetes in his late 20’s. By then, he had probably done damage to his body. Not having known he was diabetic would greatly affect his life.
My last visit to see him was in June of 2017 in Louisiana, where he was living with his best buddy, his dog Kaito. Soon after, neither of us was well enough to travel and we had to rely on texts and phone calls to connect.
In Louisiana, he was going to the gym regularly and was on a paleo diet. He would send me pictures of his paleo meals and assured me he was doing great.
However, later that year, he scraped his leg and got a staph infection in his bone. Surgery and a wound vac machine were required. Then he fell and broke his hip. More surgery. Joanna came from her home to care for him. Ultimately, he moved in with his dad in Maitland, since he could not live independently.
During the two years he lived with his dad, he had to have amputations to his feet and got around on a scooter. He did work from home with his Dad.
Despite all the health challenges, Brent remained easygoing, didn’t complain, and his faith grew.
I need not say “what if” we had known of his diabetes earlier since “what ifs” are futile and Brent never dwelled on them.
I last talked to Brent on Monday, March 9. On March 11, our friend Tandy talked to him. He was loving his new job teaching artificial intelligence to write better for a company called Knightbridge in Ireland. He was excited about the intellectual challenge and stimulation. He gave all the glory for his new job to God. He was humble and content.
Later that day, he appears to have had a diabetic seizure and aspirated on some food. He was taken to Florida Hospital, where an MRI confirmed he had suffered massive brain damage from a lack of oxygen. On March 20, he went to be with the Lord. His last week on earth was St. Patrick’s Day week, one of his favorite holidays.
I see Brent now free of insulin, prosthetic shoes, and his scooter, running through the fields in heaven with Kaito. I have no doubt he is there because our Lord takes all believers into His arms and forgives them of all their sins.
My father and Brent were very close. I like to picture them having long talks and praising God together. Two of my favorite men in life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brent’s name to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
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I am so sorry for you loss. Brent had a heart of gold, and I’m sorry to hear the lord has called him home. He was very kind to me when I needed some advice and offered anything he could to help me. I’m thankful for my time knowing him and pray for his family and loved ones to have comfort.
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Awww Nancy~ what beautiful reflections you shared of your wonderful son. I am grateful to have been Brent’s first teacher and to share in caring for him as a little guy! True to your words, Brent’s size and ability to articulate his thoughts at such a young age was notable.
I am touched by the man he grew to be, but I’m not surprised. You were an amazing mother to him, and there was never a question as to what came first in your life~ Brent was always your first priority. In many ways you were one of my first models of the parent I wanted to be. I am grateful for the opportunity to have shared if your family life while I was in college at U of F.
Brent was a joy from sun up to sun down and I am comforted to know his joyfulness carried him through the physical challenges he faced.
I know that Brent surely made the world a better place~ I was blessed to share in the love and joy he brought to this world❤️❤️
Love to you and your family on this special day of remembrance. I look forward to sharing in the celebration of Brent’s life~ holding you close in my heart Nancy. Love you ?
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What a beautiful tribute to Brent. Nancy, Bill, and family, this was truly a celebration of his life.
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Bill and Nancy and family, please know all of the Roberts family hurt for your loss. We pray for you as you have had to walk this walk. How glorious to know you will see Brent again in heaven! The service has been absolutely beautiful. It brought tears of joy to my eyes. We love you guys! Love, Kath, Rich and Kelly
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Bill and Nancy, We never had the chance to meet Brent but he sounds like he was a wonderful person. We love you and are so sorry for your physical loss in this world, but are so thankful for the opportunity you have to see him again. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both and all of his siblings! Much love, Mike and Stephanie Gonter
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Nancy and Bill, our hearts are so saddened with this news of Brent’s leaving this earthly realm filled with those who loved him but rejoice knowing he now walks lovingly with his JESUS on streets of Gold…probably skipping as I ponder on your stories of his growing up. Please know how much Cliff and I love you and will always hold a special place in our hearts for you and your family, especially at this time. If every you need anything, know that we are here for you.
Love, Cliff and Bobbie Fraine
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Bill and Nancy,
I didn’t get the opportunity to meet Brent, but I know how much you miss him – in this life at least. We are comforted to know that the Lord will reunite you all in Heaven. Thanks for letting me share in this service and your memories.
Helen
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Dear Nancy, Bill and family,
When I think of Brent, I smile. He was such a gentle giant. You are all in my prayers.
Diane
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Dear Nancy & Bill,
Brent used his time well here! What a blessing to have been given the responsibility to raise this wonderful son.
Though I did not have the pleasure of knowing him , your tribute made me feel as if I had. Praying that his memorial will reach the hearts of those that still have not made a decision for Christ and their eternal destination will be changed as a result. Jeff and I are very fond of St Patricks Day, we celebrate our wedding anniversary on that day!
Love you both,
Tracey & Jeff De Voy
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To Nancy, Bill and your family:
What a wonderful tribute to Brent and his life. His loss was felt by many.
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We so loved reading this bio, Nancy. Thanks for sharing. Jo Ann too loves St. Patrick’s Day
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Nancy,
Well, you succeeded in making me cry with your beautiful words about your wonderful son. I wholeheartedly agree with you. Brent is walking the pastures of Heaven with his Granddad and many others of your family and our family because in Heaven, I believe, everybody is family. . .a part of the family of God. There are many dogs and cats, pets that have gone on, running freely around Brent’s restored limbs. Oh, what JOY!!
I love you, Bill and your children. Lean heavily on your family and friends.
Janice Randolph
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Nancy and Bill,
May God bless you and keep you as you are joyfully reminded of what lies ahead. Much Love. Alex and Brith Jolivet
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Not knowing Brent, but being friends with Nancy and Bill we send our very thoughtful wishes. We were sorry to hear of his passing and wish Nancy and Bill strength in their quest for inner peace.
Lovingly, Claire and Larry Klingler
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Nancy-I am so glad you wrote this tribute. What a tresured insightful perspective of Brent’s life. He gave realy good bear hugs with those broad shoulders too! love you, Judge P and your children! Lots of prayers, hugs and love to you!
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Brent was my first nephew and as Nancy said he was a joy to be around, he had such a contagious smile. I had the privilege of being Brent and Nicks gifted teacher when they were in the second grade at Redbug Elementary school. They had the highest IQ’s of all my students, but they were both so well rounded and grounded it was amazing that God had brought them together to be brothers. Brent will be missed by many friends and family but we are comforted by the promise of being reunited in our eternal heavenly home.
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Offering our deep condolences – what a beautiful memory you have written about Brent! I so enjoyed your visualization of his happiness being in his heavenly home and perfection. It’s easy to think of Brent as God’s child, now and always. May you and your entire family along with his friends feel great comfort in your beautiful love for him and the grace of God.
Every blessing of Christ and Holy Spirit in your lives. ???
Love, Mona and Richard
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Wow, what an amazing story of character, strength and faith. My heart and blessings go out to your family. What a short life Brent had on earth but as we all know, He is still doing amazing things.
Mike