Rankin remembered as birthday nears
The weather was far from ideal this past Tuesday at noon, cool and rainy and a day when most would prefer to be inside. However, members of the Kemper County Homemaker Volunteers and the Ruby Jewels gathered at the Ruby D. Rankin Farmers Market Building in DeKalb to honor the building's namesake, Ruby D. Rankin, with her birthday approaching on March 18.
Rankin served Kemper County for many years, working through the MSU Extension Service, fulfilling a number of vital roles and in the process touching the lives of all she met. Rankin was taken very unexpectedly from this life on May 2, 2017, leaving a great void in the lives of friends, loved ones, and community.
To honor her memory, Joyce Rush, sang I Love to Call On the Name of Jesus, one of Rankin's favorite songs. Of Rankin, Bertha McCoy said, "Ruby was different, she was special, unique in a thousand ways. she was giving, she was loving, she was a helper."
Margia Holliday lit a candle in her honor as the group observed a moment of silence, before proceeding outdoors to release pink balloons in memory of Rankin, followed by refreshments.
It is without doubt that Ruby Rankin touched the hearts of individuals and the community as a whole, and her legacy will live on for many years to come.