Willie Mae Rankin

Published 12:30 pm Tuesday, February 18, 2025

June 10, 1931 – Feb. 16, 2025

NATCHEZ – Willie Mae Rankin, 93, of Natchez passed away on Sunday, Feb 16, 2025.

She was born on June 10, 1931, in Gilbert LA to the late Mae Bell and William Hulen Rushing.

Willie Mae was preceded in death by her husband, EJ Rankin (whom she was married to for over 62 years); their son, Tony Rankin; brothers, Bobby Rushing, Clyde Rushing, Junior Rushing, Donny Rushing, and JW Rushing, and sister, Reada Walters.

She is survived by daughters, Carolyn Berry, and Deb Stone; son, Joe Rankin; sisters, Inez Cupstid and Alice Havard and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a proud grandmother and great-grandmother to many.

Willie Mae (Nanny) was a beacon of strength and resiliency earning her GED diploma at the age of 83. She liked to sew and quilt and could make a mean batch of pancakes and delicious cornbread, and chicken and dumplings. She loved being outside, in her sun hat, tending to her flower garden. She was a member of Highland Baptist Church and enjoyed listening to gospel music. Her memory will forever be in the hearts of all those who loved her.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at Laird Funeral Home Chapel in Natchez. Visitation will be held prior to the service on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park

Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank the medical personnel at Trinity Hospital in Vidalia, LA, and Glenwood Hospital in Monroe, LA, for all the care they provided to her this past week. They also thank the staff at The Columns in Jonesville, LA, for their care over the past two years. They would also like to thank everyone for their condolences and prayers.

Our “Nanny” will be greatly missed.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.