Peggye Rose Wood Rankin

Peggye Rose Wood Rankin, age 86, of Southfield, Michigan, died Friday, November 21, 2025, at Corewell Health.
Mrs. Rankin was born on July 9, 1939, to the late Owen and Minnie Belle Steele Wood in Cleveland, North Carolina.
Mrs. Rankin graduated from R.A. Clement High School in Cleveland, NC, class of 1956, and from Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC, class of 1961, where she earned a BS
degree in Business Education, and later completed her graduate studies at Wayne State University. She was employed by the principal, Mr. George C. Knox, as the first
secretary at R.A. Clement High School.
On June 1, 1963, Peggye married the love of her life, William "Bill" Rankin, who brought her to Detroit, Michigan. Upon arriving in Detroit, Peggye began attending
Calvary Presbyterian Church and singing in the choir, officially joining the congregation on April 11, 1965.
In October 1964, Peggye began her teaching career in the Detroit Public Schools at Foch Middle School, where she taught typing for 18 years until the school closed in
1982. She continued teaching typing for the next 12 years at Lessenger Middle School in Detroit, retiring after 30 years of dedicated service. Peggye was formerly a
member of Allen Temple Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, North Carolina, and supported the church throughout her life. She always said, "It was home."
Peggye was a proud lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., an organization that remained close to her heart throughout her life.
In addition to her parents, Peggye was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; sister, Betty; brothers Marvin, Walter Owen (Jack), Floyd, and Sidney; niece Melissa (Missy)
Wood; and nephews Rodger (Rod) Wood, Richard (Ricci) Wood, and Sidney (Lil' Sid) Wood, Jr.
Peggye is survived by her nieces: Roheima Stringer (George), Karen Branson, and Tami O. Brodie; nephews: Floyd Wood II (PaDreyia) and Reginald DuBose; great-
nieces: Erica, Kayla, Meghan, Salinah, Alexandria, Ava, Harlem Rose, and Hollynd Pearl; great-nephews: Ian (Amber), Sidney III (Trey) (Alexia), Kyle, Bryce, Floyd III
(Trey), and Shepard Owen; great-great-nieces: Siobhan, Anasia, and Skylar; great- great-nephew: Wallace; and great-great-great-nephew: Cairo. She is also survived by
sisters-in-law Julie Wood (Marvin), Mary Wood (Jack), Jackie Wood (Floyd), and Susan Wood (Sidney), along with a host of cousins and extended family.
Peggye leaves behind a life filled with love and with family and friends who will carry forward the legacy she created. She will be remembered and cherished as the heart
of her family, a constant source of strength, guidance, and love.
Lovingly submitted by the family.