Robert H. 'Bob' Rankin

Mr. Robert Hugh “Bob” Rankin, 86, of Ellerbe, died Monday, February 6, 2006 at his home. The eldest son of the late Robert M. and Frankie Thompson Rankin, he was born in Ellerbe on December 18, 1919. He was an active member of Jones Spring United Methodist Church. An ardent baseball fan, he enjoyed playing, coaching, and watching the sport. He was a retired furniture salesman with McKenzie Furniture Company in Rockingham. Mr. Rankin was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served in the European Theatre during World War II and was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, Campaign Medal with 5 bronze stars, and one Arrowhead Bronze Star Medal. Mr. Rankin was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Nelson Rankin and his sisters Ellen Nelson, Edna Robbins and Olive Snyder. He is survived by sons Robert Hugh Rankin II, and wife Vickie of Rockingham, Marc Rankin and wife Bonnie of Columbia, SC; daughters Debbie Rankin of the home and Melanie Glidewell and husband Johnny of Greensboro; grandchildren Michelle Smith of Ellerbe, Robert Rankin, III and wife Grace of Charleston, Wendy Parker of Rockingham, Brandy and Matthew Glidewell of Greensboro, Nicholas, Caroline and Cameron Rankin of Columbia, SC; great-grandchildren Zachary and Haley Parker of Rockingham, Wynston Tyler, Kayla and Carley McInnis of Ellerbe; sisters, Margie McInnis of Norman and Jacqueline R. Elam of Mint Hill, NC; brothers George Rankin of Rockingham, NC, Dolph Rankin of Ellerbe, and Mack Rankin of Montgomery, AL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m.Thursday, February 8, 2006 at Carter Funeral Home in Ellerbe. Reverend Robert Carpenter, Jr. and Rev. Joe Wilburn will officiate. Interment will follow in the Ellerbe Cemetery. The family will see friends on Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Ellerbe. Memorials may be made to Jones Spring United Methodist Church c/o Ann Lomax, 816 Sycamore Lane, Jackson Springs, NC 27281 and Richmond County Hospice PO Box 2136 Rockingham, NC 28380. The family would like to extend special thanks to Sarah Bryant, Teresa Graham and Richmond County Hospice and a very special thanks to his fulltime caregiver, Kay Perkins.