Clarice Smith Rankin

Clarice Smith Rankin, the daughter of the late Clarence Davis Smith and Stella Tanner Smith, was born June 23, 1919 in Fairfield, Ill. She went to be with her Lord on February 28, 2013 at the age of 93. She spent her childhood years in Richton, MS and attended Richton High School and Jones Junior College. On December 10, 1941 she was married in Hattiesburg, MS to Robert Eugene Rankin, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin had four children born in Hattiesburg before moving to Pascagoula, Poplarville and then Laurel, where they spent many years active in church and community activities and raising their family. During these years Mrs. Rankin was a dedicated mother and homemaker while serving part time as secretary of Wildwood Baptist Church. Following retirement they returned to Poplarville and enjoyed church, gardening and family. Mr. Rankin passed away on October 18, 1999 and Mrs. Rankin moved to Gulfport in 2009. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Gulfport. Mrs. Rankin is survived by one daughter, Evelyn Rankin Hull and son-in-law Dan of Gulfport; three sons, Robert Eugene Rankin, Jr. and wife Joyce of Carbondale, CO, Stephen Larry Rankin and wife Kaye of Warrenton, VA, David Brent Rankin and wife Sharon of Oak Ridge, TN; four grandchildren, David Rankin and wife, Keenan, Traci Thomas and husband Luke, Joey Hull and wife Whitney, and Stephen Hull; two great- grandchildren, Jack Rankin and Avery Thomas, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cherished friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one sister, Sue Smith Shirley; and three brothers, Stanton Smith, Wyndall Smith, and Randall Smith. The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of One Magnolia Place for their friendship and loving care while she was a resident there. Visitation will be on Saturday, March 9th at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on 15th Street in Gulfport from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. with services following at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at 3:00 pm at Roseland Park Cemetery in Hattiesburg. Memorials may be made to Gideon’s International, Attn: Biloxi Camp, 12408 Ridgeland Court, Gulfport, MS 39503 or the Gulfport First Baptist Church Building Fund, 12190 Highway 605, Gulfport, MS 39503. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com