Bobbie Alene Thomas Rankin, 87, passed away on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the Sanctuary Hospice House. She was born September 29, 1938, in the Ryan’s Well Community of Itawamba County, to Arville and Emma Dee Taylor Thomas. She worked in a factory, at Itawamba Grammar School as a teacher’s aide, as a babysitter, and as a caregiver to her mother, mother-in-law, father, and brother. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, and caring for others. She was a devout Christian and a member of Big Oak Baptist Church.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 6, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Fulton with Bro. Doug Wilson and Bro. C.D. Curry officiating. Burial will be in Itawamba Memorial Gardens.
Survivors include her husband of 69 years, George C. Rankin; two daughters, Rhonda K. Bennett (Billy) of Peaceful Valley and Renee West (Randy) of Fulton; eight grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Taylor (Leland) of Sherman and Wanda Wilson (Bro. Doug) of Jacksonville, Texas; one brother-in-law, Frank Rankin (Ruth) of Winthrop Harbor, IL; a son-in-law, Vince Crocker of Fulton; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family members.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Rita Gail Crocker; her father and mother-in-law, Henry and Virgie Rankin; one brother, George Edward Thomas; one brother-in-law, Bobby Joe Rankin; a great granddaughter, Bailey LaShae Farris; and her parents.
Pallbearers will be Lee Farris, Chris Farris, Shane West, Matt Crocker, John Clowers, Matthew Bennett, and Jason Bennett.
Visitation will be Friday from noon until service time at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home.
