MC WOMAN MC WOMAN JULY 2026
Thankful Karenna Rainey Crowned Miss Tennessee Volunteer
MC WOMAN MC WOMAN JULY 2026
Hope Howell Hope Howell
Faith, Family, and a Vision That Became Hope’s Place
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MCNAIRY COUNTY WOMAN What’s inside??????????
W A Dream More Than a Decade in the Making: Karenna Rainey Crowned Miss Tennessee Volunteer Hope Howell: Faith, Family, and a Vision That Became Hope’s Place The Problem With Waiting Until It’s “Bad Enough” NOTE: Pageant photos used for Karenna story provided by Darren Lykes Photography
KARENNA RAINEY CROWNED MISS TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER
A Dream More Than a Decade in the Making For McNairy County native Karenna Rainey, the moment she heard her name announced as Miss Tennessee Volunteer last Saturday night was the fulfillment of a dream years in the making. After an exciting week filled with interviews, community events, performances, and competition, Rainey stood on the stage of the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson as the final announcement was made. Overcome with emotion, she was crowned Miss Tennessee Volunteer, beginning a new chapter in a journey that has been more than a decade in the making. "The past 48 hours since I was crowned still feel unreal," Rainey shared. "This has been a dream of mine that I have worked tirelessly to achieve for over a decade, and I am just so honored and excited to see it come to fruition." A 2020 graduate of Adamsville High School, Rainey's pageant journey began almost as early as she could walk. "My mom put me in my first pageant when I was 2," she said. "I began competing in the Miss Tennessee Volunteer program at 13 years old." Her very first title was Miss Adamsville Tiny Belle, but it was another experience that truly shaped her future. "My mom started taking me to the Carl Perkins Civic Center when I was 11 years old, and from that point on I knew I wanted to walk across the Miss Tennessee stage one day, which is why I started competing in the teen program at 13 years old." Continue reading............................
That childhood dream became reality on the very same stage where it first took root. While earning the crown is a remarkable accomplishment, Rainey is already looking beyond the title and toward the opportunity to serve. "I am so thankful for everyone who has supported me on this journey," she said. "It is an incredible honor to represent Tennessee, and I am blessed to have love and encouragement from my community. I look forward to giving back, serving our state and making an impact that lasts beyond my reign." Her message to young girls and women who are pursuing their own dreams is both heartfelt and practical. "Dreams don't happen overnight, and they rarely happen without obstacles," Rainey said. "There will be moments when you doubt yourself, face setbacks, or hear the word 'no,' but those moments don't define your future. Stay true to who you are, work hard, lead with kindness, and don't be afraid to chase the dreams God has placed on your heart. You are capable of more than you realize, and the world needs the unique gifts that only you can offer." One of the most touching images from the evening captured Rainey appearing to pause in a moment of gratitude following her victory. For her, that expression of thankfulness reflected something much deeper than winning a crown. "My faith is the foundation of who I am and has guided me through every season of life," she explained. "In that moment, I was simply overwhelmed with gratitude to God for His faithfulness. My hope is that others are encouraged to trust that God's timing is always greater than our own. Whatever dream you're pursuing, keep working hard, keep the faith and remember it was planted in your heart for a reason." COntinue reading.............
Karenna Rainey's story is about far more than pageantry. It is a testament to perseverance, faith, dedication, and the power of believing in a dream long before it becomes reality. From a little girl sitting in the audience at the Carl Perkins Civic Center to wearing the Miss Tennessee Volunteer crown on that very same stage, her journey reminds us that some dreams are worth every year of waiting. As she begins her year representing the Volunteer State, one thing is certain: McNairy County will be cheering her on every step of the way. Congratulations, Karenna. Thank you for representing your hometown with grace, humility, and unwavering faith. Your McNairy County family is incredibly proud of you, and we look forward to watching the difference you will make across Tennessee.
Karenna Rainey
HOPE HOWELL
Faith, Family, and a Vision That Became Hope’s Place Hope Howell has deep roots in McNairy County. Born in Selmer, Tennessee, on October 8, 1976, she proudly calls this community home. Over the years, she has built a life centered on faith, family, perseverance, and a passion for serving others, values that have shaped both her personal journey and her successful restaurant, Hope’s Place in Adamsville. Hope has been married to her husband, Ricky Howell, for more than three decades. Ricky serves the community as a police officer in Adamsville, and together they have raised four children while building a family legacy grounded in love, dedication, and hard work. Their oldest son, Zach Howell, now lives in Gallatin with his wife, Kristen, who works as a registered nurse at the local hospital. Zach serves as a supervisor for UPS drivers at the downtown Nashville hub. Their second son, Quinton, recently returned to Adamsville from Wisconsin with his wife Tamara and their three children, Forest, Aspen, and Montana. Quinton now works for the City of Adamsville, while Tamara is completing her degree as an IT specialist. Continue reading...........
Hope and Ricky’s first daughter, Molly Howell Plunk, has balanced motherhood, marriage, and an intense academic schedule with remarkable determination. Molly is married to Dustin Lee Plunk, and the couple has two young children, Deacon Lee and Lyla Mae. Molly is currently in the final rotation year of her pharmacy program and is set to graduate next year. Despite juggling multiple responsibilities, s he has remained at the top of her class, a source of tremendous pride for her mother. The youngest of the Howell children, Lacey Mae Howell, has always been determined and ambitious. Lacey followed her passion for law enforcement and completed her basic training in June of 2025. She now serves as a police officer in Selmer and plans to continue her education in criminal justice with hopes of pursuing a career in investigations. While Hope admits that having a daughter in law enforcement can be nerve-racking, she is immensely proud of Lacey’s courage and commitment. Before entering the restaurant world, Hope’s career took a different path. She earned a cosmetology license and worked in that field while raising her children. During their early school years, she stayed home to be present for every practice, game, PTA meeting, and field trips, often serving as room mother and active volunteer. She credits her husband for supporting her during those years and allowing her to enjoy those precious moments with their children. Later, Hope began working with Regional Homecare in Selmer, eventually moving into a sales role that covered much of West Tennessee. Her territory expanded significantly after the company was purchased by Tennova, stretching across Adamsville, Selmer, Savannah, Corinth, Henderson, Jackson, Dyersburg, Milan, and Martin. While she enjoyed the work, her position was eventually eliminated, Hope initially saw it as a setback. Looking back, however, she believes it was one of the greatest blessings of her life. That moment of uncertainty ultimately led to the beginning of her restaurant journey. At the time, Adamsville had a small café known as Fat Cats. After losing her job, Hope learned the café needed someone to take it over. She says she thought about the opportunity for only two minutes before deciding to pursue it. “I wanted to do something where I could make a difference and be remembered for my work, not for a corporation,” she said. Although she had no experience in the restaurant business, Hope embraced the challenge. The small café was, as she describes it, truly a “hole in the wall” - complete with worn floors and limited space. But she had a vision and the determination to see it through. Eventually, she purchased a small building beside the café—little more than four walls, and began creating the café she had imagined. With hard work and creativity, she transformed the space into a welcoming place where people could enjoy more than just slugburgers. Hope introduced new menu ideas, built relationships with customers, and slowly brought her vision to life. Just when things seemed settled, a major obstacle appeared: parking. Continue reading...........................
The location simply could not accommodate the growing number of customers, and conflicts began to arise over nearby parking spaces. Hope was devastated. After investing so much into the café, she suddenly faced the possibility of losing everything she had built. But what seemed like the end was actually the beginning of something greater. Hope soon discovered a property owned by Dr. Deaton across from his office. Within a matter of days, she placed an offer on the property, and the purchase was completed within a week. “It all happened so fast,” she recalled. “That was God, not me.” With determination, and a little creativity, Hope literally moved her building across Adamsville. The café structure was loaded onto a trailer and relocated to its new home, where renovations and expansions began immediately. After just two weeks, Hope’s Place reopened. What followed was beyond anything she imagined. The restaurant quickly took off, attracting customers from across the region. The sudden growth was overwhelming at times, and Hope admits there were nights she went home exhausted and in tears, wondering if she could keep up. But through faith and perseverance, she discovered strength she didn’t know she had. Today, Hope’s Place has been thriving at its new location for three years and continues to grow. Hope constantly looks for ways to improve and better serve her customers, offering the kind of home-cooked meals that many busy families no longer have time to prepare. Beyond the restaurant, Hope treasures her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She especially enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and relaxing with her husband at their camper, where she loves reading books on her iPad. Serving her community has always been central to who she is. During the recent ice storm that impacted McNairy County, Hope’s café suffered damage that forced her to temporarily close. But she couldn’t sit at home knowing others were facing even greater hardships. Instead, she found ways to continue cooking and feeding people in the community despite the challenges. “I knew there was a need,” she said. “And I wasn’t going to let people down.” Even though the storm created financial strain and recovery challenges, Hope says she would do it all again without hesitation. Her story is ultimately one of faith, resilience, and courage. To women who may be considering entrepreneurship, Hope offers simple but powerful advice: “Go for it. I never thought I would succeed—but I did. We only live once, and God wants us to be more. He believes in us, so we should believe in ourselves.” Through hard work, faith, and an unwavering commitment to her community, Hope Howell has proven that sometimes the biggest blessings come from the most unexpected beginnings. Thank you Hope for being a great example of sticktoitiveness and tenacity. Oh, and the food at Hope’s Place is AMAZING!
The Problem With Waiting Until It’s “Bad Enough” How Delayed Action Can Quietly Accelerate Aging By Flourish Transformation Center
When it comes to aging, many women wait before seeking support. They wait until fine lines become wrinkles, skin feels thinner, or changes become impossible to ignore. It’s a natural response—but biologically, it often works against you. The truth is, aging doesn’t begin when you notice it in the mirror. By the time visible changes appear, they have often been developing beneath the surface for years. Collagen production gradually declines, muscle mass slowly decreases, bone density shifts, and inflammation quietly builds over time. What you see is simply the result of changes that have been happening all along. That’s why timing matters. When aging is addressed early, the focus is on preservation, maintaining collagen, supporting healthy skin, and slowing the natural aging process. Waiting until changes become more advanced often means shifting from preservation to restoration, requiring more intensive treatments to rebuild what has already been lost. Continue reading.............
VALERIE BARBER PA-C
Aging is cumulative. Small changes that go unsupported gradually compound over time. A slight decline in collagen can become visible thinning. Minor muscle loss can lead to reduced facial s upport. Low-grade inflammation can accelerate the breakdown of healthy tissue. Early intervention doesn't stop aging, but it can help slow its progression and support healthier, more resilient skin. Many women delay care not because they don't value themselves, but because life gets busy. They prioritize family, careers, and responsibilities. Some aren't sure where to begin, while others assume they should simply wait until changes become more noticeable. Instead of asking, "Is it bad enough yet?" a better question is, "What can I support today?" Every decade brings different needs. In your 20s, the goal is building and protecting collagen. In your 30s, it's maintaining skin quality and slowing decline. During your 40s, hormonal changes make strategic collagen support increasingly important. In your 50s and beyond, the emphasis shifts toward restoring strength, resilience, and healthy tissue through advanced regenerative approaches. While the strategies evolve with age, the principle remains the same: support your body's biology before changes become more difficult to reverse. The women who often age most gracefully aren't necessarily the ones doing the most—they're the ones who began paying attention earlier. They adjusted as their bodies changed, making small, intentional decisions that supported long-term health and confidence. If you've been waiting for the "right time" to address changes in your skin or overall aging, that time may be sooner than you think. A proactive approach today can make a meaningful difference in how you look and feel in the years ahead. Schedule a complimentary Longevity or Skin Assessment at Flourish Transformation Center to learn where you are today and discover simple, personalized strategies to support healthy aging. Flourish Transformation Center 1008 Pickwick Street Savannah, TN 731-438-3170
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El Palomino
Mexican Restaurant
It doesn’t matter if it’s Manic Mondays, Terrible Tuesdays, Whacked Out Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, Freaky Friday’s Sensational Saturdays, or Soulful Sundays, El Palomino has the perfect Margarita and full bar menu for you!
780 MULBERRY AVENUE SELMER, TENNESSEE