Irene Rankin Sullivan, October 11, 1928 — May 15, 2019

Florence Irene Guynes Rankin Sullivan was one of six children born to Jesse and Ethel Guynes on October 11, 1928, in the Williams Community in Brown County, Texas. She passed from this world to her Heavenly home on May 15, 2019, at the age of ninety. She is preceded in death by Ray Rankin, her husband of 52 years and by her second husband Bob Sullivan, and two brothers Lonnie Elmer Guynes of Kemmerer, Wyoming and James (Jimmie) Guynes of Early and two sons-in-law W.H. Bates and Wallace Hinnant and grandsons Aaron and Matthew Frnka.

She is survived by siblings Jesse Floyd Guynes of Dove Creek, Colorado, Martha Bailey of Rising Star and Bobby Gene Guynes of Pocatello, Idaho. She is also survived by her special friend, Julian Walton of Pearland and her four children, Linda Bates of Rising Star, Ron Rankin and wife Carol of Trinidad, Colorado, Judy Hinnant of Boerne, Patsy Myers and husband Richard of Mineral Wells, and step son Lathan Sullivan of Biloxi, Mississippi. Irene is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Irene was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Rising Star where she was a member of the choir and the hospitality committee. She was a member of the Saturday Club and during her children’s schooldays she was an active room mother and a member of the May PTA where she served as Treasurer and President. Irene was an excellent seamstress, an avid reader, and a gracious hostess to everyone who came into her home.

As she was a homemaker and a farmer’s wife, she worked wherever she was needed, either driving a tractor, feeding livestock or tending her garden. She especially liked having flowers in her yard and loved roses. Irene had the ability to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable in her home and no one went away without being fed.

She was a true “Southern Lady”, strong willed and tough and we will miss her dearly. Visitation with the family will be at Heartland Funeral Home in Early, Texas, Saturday, May 18, from 5:00-7:00 PM. A Funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Rising Star at 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 19 with Terry Simmons officiating.

Interment to follow at the Rankin- Bates Family Cemetery. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Irene Rankin Sullivan please visit our Sympathy Store.

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