Nellie Frances Rankin Denton

She was a native of Gaston County, daughter of the late Leonard Ephird and Mary Riley Rankin.

Nell was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Lowell where she had been a Sunday school teacher and choir member. She and her husband helped to establish the Oakland Mission in Lowell.

Nell was a wonderful, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, James L. Denton; sons, Mike Denton and wife, Sue of Gastonia; Dan Denton and wife, Susan of Kings Mountain; Gary Denton and wife, Kathy of Waynesboro, Virginia. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kathi Denton Willis (Fritz); Holly Denton Wall (John); Jana Denton and fiancée Franklin Yancey; Seth Denton (Rebecca), Kristin Denton Condra (Jake); and Kelsey Denton; great grandchildren, Sarah Kate and Wright Willis, Olivia Claire Wall, Luke and Benjamin Denton; Adelie and Grady Condra; sister, Gail Rankin Trado (Richard); brother, Larry Rankin (Betty); sisters-in-law, Kathryn Clemmer Rankin and Pat Brady Rankin.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, L. E., Buddie and Dean Rankin.

The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, at the First Baptist Church of Lowell, with Dr. David A. Irish officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be at Gaston Memorial Park.

The family would like to extend their appreciation for the kind and loving care given to her by Belaire Healthcare Center and Hospice.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Gaston County, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054

Condolences may be made online at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com

Carothers Funeral Home in Gastonia is serving the Denton family