08/19/2004
Celebration of Life services for Nona Mardell (Wallace) Rankin, 69, of Knoxville, who died Aug 19, 2004 at the Griffin Nursing Center in Knoxville, were held Aug. 23 at Williams Funeral Home. Pastor Kirk A. Erwin officiated. Musical selections were offered by Diamond Rio and Karen Hollingshead, vocalist.
Interment was in the Hamilton Cemetary, Hamilton. Casket-bearers for the service included Eric Karr, Scott Karr, John Rankin, Loren Rankin, Lyle Rankin and Mike Six. Honorary casket bearers included Irvin Rankin, Jordan Rankin, Kallie Rankin, Kaitlyn Rankin and Nicole Six.
Rankin was born on Sept. 17, 1934 in Liberty Township, Marion County. She was the daughter of R. Irvin and Marjorie (Reeves) Wallace.
Rankin was united in marriage to Charles Rankin on July 7, 1951 in Bussey. To this union four children were born.
Rankin attended school in Attica and Knoxville. She enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, cooking and baking. For over ten years, Rankin was a den mother and committee member for the Boy Scouts of America. She was the kitchen manager at Westridge Nursing and Rehab Center.
Family, friends and neighbors always found Rankin ready for an afternoon or evening of conversation and homemade treats to eat.
She could always be counted on to be cheering in the stands at the ballgames and activities of her children and grandchildren that she so enjoyed to attend. Nona followed the New York Yankees faithfully during their good and bad years. She was fond of hummingbirds and enjoyed sitting at her daughter, Denise’s home watching them through the window.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Charles on Sept. 17, 1981, a grandson, Justin Karr, a sister and a brother.
She is survived by two daughters and husbands, Mardell and Larry DeJong of Knoxville, and Denise and Kenneth Six of Knoxville: two sons and wives, Irvin and Lisa Rankin of Henderson, Nev. And John and Karen Rankin of Mesa, Ariz.; a sister, Louise Yates of Phoenix, Ariz. And seven grandchildren: Nicole, Mike, Scott, Eric, Jordan, Kaitlyn and Kallie.
Memorials may be given in memory of Nona to the Knoxville Rescue Unit. Arrangements were made by Williams Funeral Home.
Knoxville Journal Express, September 8, 2004