Mrs. Jimmie Denley Rankin

Jimmie Denley Rankin, 84, went peacefully to be with her Lord on September 17 at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS after battling an unexpected illness. Jimmie was born on May 5, 1932, in Ackerman, MS to Alvin B and Audie Perry. She was united in marriage in 1957 to Donald Ray Denley. He preceded her death on February 4, 1995. She later married Paul Rankin in 2000 who preceded her death on January 19, 2012.After graduating from Brooksville High School, Jimmie attended Blue Mountain College where she earned a degree in Secretarial Science. She later earned her Teacher's Certificate in Business Education through Mississippi Southern (USM). Jimmie taught English, typing and shorthand at Bayou Academy for 7 years. She was the Assistant to the President of Sunburst Bank in Cleveland, MS for 15 years. During her 28 years living in Boyle, MS she was a very active member of Boyle Baptist Church. She moved to Clinton, MS in 1997 to be close to her sister. She then became a member of First Baptist Church of Clinton where she served for nearly 20 years. She enjoyed being involved with the Joy Makers Choir, Joy Strummers, two Sunday school classes, and all things Senior Adults. Known by all who knew her as a true prayer warrior, Jimmie prayed "without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17) for every person whose story she heard. She loved people and made friends fast -- famously sending over 600 Christmas cards every year which arrived in mailboxes the day after Thanksgiving. Her genuine compassion for the lives of everyone around her will never be forgotten. She was preceded in death by her sister Bennie Browning Whittington. She is survived by sons, Gerald Denley (Joy) of Baton Rouge, LA; Ronald Denley (Suzanne) of Batesville, MS; David Denley (Naomi) of Colleyville, TX; her brother, Billy Perry of Trusseville, AL and her grandchildren, Brittney Voight (Brad) of Baton Rouge, LA; Brandon Denley of Dallas, TX and Blake Denley of New Orleans LA. Visitation will be held at Lakewood Funeral Home on Monday, September 19 from 5-7 pm and Tuesday, September 20 one hour prior to the service at First Baptist Church in Clinton. Her Celebration of Life service will follow at 2:00 pm in the sanctuary of FBC Clinton. Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baptist Children's Village or Clinton Community Christian Corporation. An online guest registry is available at www.lakewoodfuneralhomes.com.