Donald "Rex" Ainsworth, 85, of Ellisville, MS, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, MS. Born on September 6, 1940, in Bay Springs, Mississippi, Rex was a true testament of a Christian father, husband, and friend. He found pure joy in singing gospel music and traveled to many churches throughout the state to share his love for gospel music and Jesus.

Rex spent his career as a police officer, volunteer firefighter, and was well-known in his community as the 'A/C man' due to his work as an electrician and business owner. Later in life, he enjoyed traveling to the mountains with his beloved wife in their camper, sharing a love that spanned 62.5 years.

He was preceded in death by his father, Deavours Ainsworth; mother, Doris Holifield Ainsworth; brothers, Billy Ray Ainsworth and Dale Ainsworth; sister, Helen Quarles; and grandchild, Kyle Skellion. He is survived by his wife, Ethelene Stringer Ainsworth; daughters, Jerrie Lynn Hartness (Don), Gala Skellion (Jack), and Bridget Burnham (Marc); sister, Sylvia Knight (Greg); grandchildren, Jeremy Watkins (Tiffany), Cory Skellion, Joseph Hartness (Bailey McNeil), Keely Skellion, Haylee McLaurin (Noah), Autumn Burnham (Hunter Mann), Tatum Burnham, Don Hartness, Hunter Hartness (Maggie); and great-grandchildren, Camden Hartness, Lila Hartness, Olivia McLaurin, Jackson Walker, Hunter Herrington, Nate Walker, and Hayden Walker, along with a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel, located at 4593 Indian Springs Rd, Laurel, MS. Additional visitation will be held on Friday January 16th, New Home Baptist Church  Bay Springs, MS at 1:00PM followed by the funeral services at 2:00PM. Burial to follow in New Home Baptist Church Cemetery. Bro. Ron Swindall and Bro. Jim Taylor will officiate the services. Arrangements are under the care of Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Stringer, Jeremy Watkins, Cory Skellion, Noah McLaurin, Joseph Hartness, and Hunter Mann.

Honorary pallbearers will be Buck Stringer, Robert Morris, Tom Upton, and Ken Blackwell.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapellaurel.com