Margaret Kaye Rankin

Margaret Kaye (Helm) Rankin was born on August 27, 1950, in Broken Arrow, OK. and passed from this life on September 17, 2023, in Lakeland, FL. at the age of 73. Kaye's family moved to Wichita, KS. at the age of 3 where she grew up with her parents, two brothers, and a sister. She met the love of her life in Junior High, but she didn't realize it was him until she was in High School. A couple of weeks before graduation at age 17, she married Bill Rankin (age 20) right before he was shipped off to Vietnam for the war. When Bill returned, they settled down and began raising their 3 children in Wichita. After 19 years, they moved to Arkansas, where they spent the next 26 years and welcomed seven grandchildren into the world. It was there Kaye found her most rewarding job serving the elderly as a staff member for 12 years at Home Instead Senior Care. Her passion in life was bringing joy to any and every person she met. She always tried to brighten a room with enthusiasm and an occasional silly joke. She ran an encouragement card program in several church congregations she attended where she provided cards for members to write encouraging notes to each other. She would collect the cards, hand-write every address, and mail them, so that someone would have a ray of sunshine in their mailbox. Even after the hardest years of her life when she suffered from depression, she used her experience to author an article published in the Christian Woman magazine to help others who might be struggling with depression. When Bill retired from his job in aircraft cabinetry, they moved to Key West, FL., where they served the Key West Church of Christ for 7 years before moving to Lakeland FL. Bill and Kaye served the Lord faithfully wherever they found themselves. They were heavily involved with their local congregations serving as leaders and teachers and participated in multiple gospel campaigns and mission trips. Throughout her life, Kaye did her best to make sure everyone knew about Jesus, and the way He wants them to live. That's why with full assurance we know she'll spend eternity in heaven with her God and Savior.

Kaye is survived by her husband of 55 years, William (Bill) Clayton Rankin of Lakeland, Florida, children: Adrian Rankin (Sandy) of Tyler, TX., Stephanie Karch (Jamie) of Key West, FL., and Jason Rankin (Elizabeth) of Fayetteville, AR, grandchildren: Brooke Hadsell (Kyle), Haley Rankin, Andrew Karch, Sarah Karch, Caleb Karch, Reece Rankin, and Ryan Rankin, great-grandchildren: Everleigh Hadsell, siblings: Roy Helm (Evelyn), and Glenda Patchett (Marty), and several step grandchildren, and step great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father Glen Eugene Helm, her mother Velta Nadine Helm, and a brother Leslie Helm (Frances).

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on October 14, 2023, at Emporia Avenue Church of Christ located at 1144 S Emporia Ave., Wichita, KS 67211. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery located at 12100 E 13th St N, Wichita, KS 67206. In lieu of flowers, Kaye requested memorial donations be made to Children's Home, Inc. 5515 Walcott Rd, Paragould, AR 72450. www.childrenshomes.org