Senior Mother Katherine Lorraine Davidson Rankin, 94, gained her wings on March 9, 2024, in Statesville, N.C., surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Iredell County on March 25, 1929, and was the daughter of the late Robert Summers and Pauline Davidson. She was married to Sydney Marshall “Shorty” Rankin, her beloved husband, who preceded her in death.

Senior Mother Rankin was affectionally known as “Bunky” by those close to her. She was well known for her love, kindness, giving spirit and cooking. Some of her special dishes were apple pies, sweet potato pies, and her healing potato soup. She was known as the Candy Lady of Buffalo Shoals, and she gave away more than she sold.

In addition to her husband “Shorty” and her parents, Pauline Davidson and Robert Summers, she was preceded in death by her two sons, Gary F. Davidson and William Lackey; sister, Lucille Summers; a host of aunts, uncles and in-laws, including her beloved grandmother, Celia Davidson, who raised her, as well as sons-in-law, James Carr Jr., Carl Boone, and Donald R. Stewart, and a daughter-in-law, Alvis Rankins.

Senior Mother Rankin was an exceptional cook. She earned a certificate in Quality Cooking from Mitchell Community College. She also earned her certificate in Nursing (CNA) and Fire Safety from Mitchell. She was employed by Gray’s Restaurant, Ramada Inn, Rotunda Restaurant, and Troutman Café. Senior Mother was also employed at N.B. Mills School, D. Matt Thompson School and Statesville Senior High School as a cook. She retired from Statesville City Schools. She was a member of 55 and Alive. She loved to travel, shop and go out to eat with them.

She was a member of Commandment Keepers Church of the Living God, Bibleway Church #1. Senior Mother Rankin served faithfully for many years as a member of the kitchen committee, usher board and was one of the first ushers to lead the Holy General Convocation March with Overseer Lattimore, Deaconess, Mother, and Senior Mother of the body. She also traveled as a support personnel for Overseer C.S. Lattimore for many years.

Senior Mother Rankin would often write inspirational messages such as, “I take Jesus for mine.” This was her testimony as a devoted Saint in which she lived and fell asleep by.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Linda Faye Carr, Brenda Kaye Rankins, Gwendolyn Rankins, Paulette Tucker (Clarence), Kevin Rankins (Cynthia), and Celia Annette Boone, all of Statesville, N.C., and Marshall Rankins Jr. of Troutman, N.C.; and a daughter-in-law, Peggy Lackey of Charlotte, N.C. Her legacy extends to five generations, which includes thirty-two grandchildren, TiLonnie Davidson, Katonia Dye, Stephanie P. Allison, Derek Lackey, Sidney Lackey, Ryan Jones, Williams Lackey, Jr., Charlene Shakir, Pamela Foust, Anita Moten, Barron F. Carr, Darron A. Carr, Jamie D. Carr, Wanda Y. Carr, Brandon C. Carr, Stefan M. Carr, Katrina M. Rankins, Corwin J. Rankin, Rondale L. Rankins, Katrice S. Rankins, Shandrick T. Rankins, DaMigeo T. Glaspy, Regina Gillion Rucker, Terry Benette, Adrian Stewart, Donetta Gabriel, Shawnta Rankins, LaQuita Stewart, Kevin Rankins, Kenya Rankins, Carl V. Boone, and Corvis Dalton; sixty-nine great grandchildren, Katherine B. Karlay, Quana Davidson, Kye’myron Davidson, Jubrettia Davidson, Dan Marshall Davidson, Kenaz Davidson, Larry Dye, Myesha Allison, Kennen Allison, Jasmine Allison, Tanya Lackey, La’Tasha Clarke, Heather Barron, Alesha Lackey, Ronnie Moten III, Maurice Moten, Aiesha Rashid-Jeldrisu, Latoya Peterson, Bryanna E. Carr, Brennan C. Carr, Maya J. Carr, Logan S. Grant, Landon J. Carr, Altereck Ty’shawn Parson, Johnta D. Carr, Brandon C. Carr Jr., Tevin M. Carr, Taylor M. Rankins, Bria J. Neamo, Kathlin L. Neamo, Ty’yana K. Neamo, Jakiere Giles, LaTrell Rankin, Justin Rankin, Shanice D. Rankins, Iyana James, Quaylen James, LaTasha Davidson, Malik Rankins, Yana Davidson, Taveus Rankins, Chavez Rankins, D’Quantae Mayhew, Zakia Strickland, Markisha Shuford, Zakaya Strickland, Joshua Bowman, Adrian Stewart Jr., Dane Stewart, Talia Gabriel, Zamiah Stewart, Tyrell Rankins, Ace V. Boone, Olivia Grace Boone, Aliyanah M. Dalton, Chandler Dalton, Cayden Dalton, Jada Rankins, Jasmine Jones, Kaidyn Rankins, Kyron Rankins, Jaylen Williams, Jaylon Williams, DeShawn Holmes, JaQuan Williams, Angel Barron, Taurean Jones, Caya Jones and Derrick Jones; seventy-three great great grandchildren, Brooklynn R. Dye, Joslynn J. Dye, Zayden S. Dye, Zay’Vion Allison, Ivy Pickett, Ionna Frierson, Arin M. Lewis, Emmitt Karlay, Jr., Khloe Karlay, Ny’Laijha Davidson, Aubrey Reed, Keymyron Davidson, Jr., Kalei Washingon, Kaleia Washington, Coletia Washington, Jonic Frierson, Keith Sturghill, Jaida Brown, Chancellor Morrison, Londyn Peterson, Mason Moten, Maya Moten, Madelyne Moten, Zyan Bozeman, Jaylen Moten, Nahla Moten, Corhan Johnson, Kinsley B. Davidson, Michael S. Mitchell, Keion Mitchell, Jayden Rankins, Kyrie Rankins, Keithon Mayhew, Dakari Sy’Mere F. Shuford, Kelis M. Carr, MaLaiya A. Hunter, Aaliyah J. Carr, Neveah A. Carr, Onyx G. Carr, Harlem L. Carr, Zareah Imani K. Dobbins, Kyleigh N. Moore, Chrislyn N. Moore, Paisley Neamo, Khymora Neamo, Kaylan Neamo, Penelope Neamo, Amaad Sharpe, Aiden Bowman, Tatum Turner, Riley Martin, Jaylen Williams, Jr., Prince Jayceon Williams, Mason Moten, Maya Moten, Maddie Moten, Alex Lackey, Gabriela Barron, Lilliam Barron, Eli Barron, Samuel Barron, Layane Dukes, Noah Dukes, Summer Dukes, Emily Sturghill, Autumn Sturghill, Eric Sturghill, Aleccondra Sturghill, Aiyonna Sturghill, and Rajahn Sturghill; special children, Sandra J. Woods, Melanie Robinson, Alaysha S. Bowman, C. Elaine Bowman, Monnica Taylor, Acacia Little, and Shirlyn D. Summers; a special cousin, Joyce Howard of Statesville; a special nephew, Bradley Caldwell of Statesville; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors, the Bibleway Headquarters Family, and friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Sunday, Marcy 17, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Bibleway Church Headquarters. Overseer Georgia A. Daniels, Pastor, will officiate and Pastor Darren F. Carr will be doing the eulogy . Burial will follow in the Bibleway Church Number 6 Cemetery in Troutman, N.C.

Senior Mother Rankin will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in state at 11:30 a.m. Members of the family will receive friends at the church from 12 noon until 1 p.m., and will assemble at the residence at other times.

Visit the Book of Memories for Senior Mother Katherine Rankin at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.

Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Rankin family.