Martha Palmer Rankin

Martha Palmer Rankin

Anderson

Martha Palmer Rankin, age 89, of 102 Partridge Lane, passed away at a family vacation home in Holden Beach, NC, where the family were gathered to celebrate and share Thanksgiving. Born in Anderson, she was the daughter of the late Kitt Palmer and the late Ada Wilson Palmer. For 50 years she was the loving wife of the late William Whitfield "Bill" Rankin.

Following her graduation from Anderson Girl's High School, she attended and graduated from Anderson College. While at Anderson College, she and her twin sister, Mary, were in the May Court. Mrs. Rankin served as a secretary at Whitehall Elementary School, but most of her life she was a homemaker, and a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. Among her past times she had several hobbies which she shared with others. She enjoyed making scarves and giving them to friends. Also she enjoyed cooking and gardening. Martha was a faithful, life-long member of First Baptist Church, where she was in the Rebecca Sunday Class

Mrs. Rankin was survived by two sons, William Whitfield "Ranny" Rankin and his wife, Sandra, of Anderson, and John Walter Rankin and his wife, Tonya, of Raleigh; one daughter, Jane Rankin Jones and her husband Jimmy, of Anderson.; eight grandchildren, Wil Jones (Jenny), Wes Jones (Catherine), Christy Cooley, Alex Rankin, and Kitt Rankin, all of Anderson; Jane Rankin, John Rankin and Luke Rankin all of Raleigh. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren, Chase Cooley, Jake Jones, Ally Jones, Jaime Jones, and Caroline Jones, all of Anderson. Also surviving are numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Bill, Mrs. Rankin was preceded in death by two sisters, twin sister, Mary Murphy, and Laura Kelly.

A Funeral Service to celebrate and honor the life of Mrs. Martha Rankin will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at 3 pm at the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. James R. Thomason officiating. Interment will follow at Old Silver Brook Cemetery. The family will be at the residence and will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 3, 2012, from 1 pm until 2:30 pm

The family suggests contributions in memory of Mrs. Rankin be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621; or First Baptist Church, 307 S. Manning Street, Anderson, SC 29624.

A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com. THE McDOUGALD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Anderson.