Ruth Rankin

Ruth "Tommy" Rankin, age 88 of Tilton, widow of Earl Rankin, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, March 8, 2019 at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington. She was born in Bath County on May 18, 1930, a daughter of the late Amos and Virgie Dailey Emmons. She received her lifelong nickname when she was three years old in spite of her "tomboyish" characteristics and the name "Tommy" stuck. A homemaker and farmer, she attended Tilton United Methodist Church. Tommy loved to travel having traveled to all fifty states. Her first airplane voyage was when she conquered Hawaii in her quest of states and most of her traveling occurred after she had turned 75 years old. Her most recent travels were to the Bahamas in January. Tommy also had a love for gardening and growing her flowers, but most of all, she cherished her family, as she made them her number one priority and joy in life. She is survived by: her daughter, Penny Rankin (Chuck Holbrook) of Fleming County; grandchildren, Michelle (Anthony) Marshall of Fleming County, Sabra Watson of Flemingsburg, and Drew Watson (Lacey Dearing) of Hamilton, OH; a great-granddaughter, Taylor Marshall of Fleming County; daughter-in-law, Donna Rankin of Flemingsburg; and honorary grandchildren, Kim (Cheese) Conners, Bill (Casey) Breeze, and Tatum Breeze, all of Fleming County. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by: her son, Darrell Rankin; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Nettie B. and Willie Addison Rankin; a brother, Frank Emmons; and a sister, Ruby Vice. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Thursday, March14, 2019 in the chapel of Carpenter-Fritz & Vice Funeral Home officiated by Rev. Gail Skaggs and Pastor Greg Grimes. Visitation will be 6-9 pm Wednesday, March 13th at the funeral home. Burial will be in Flemingsburg Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Drew Watson, Bill Breeze, Jay Planck, Robert "Cheese" Conners, David Ramey, and Darrell Latham. Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Glascock, Kathy Ramey, Linda McDonald, Connie McCord, and Alma Grimes. Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Care Club, P.O. Box 189, Flemingsburg, KY 41041