Kathy Rankins Russell

Kathy Denise Rankins was born January 21, 1958, to Rev. John Ira and Emmalina Rankins.

Kathy’s bold sense of humor made her family with many as she didn’t mind approaching and asking, “if everything is alright” and for anything she wanted. She was educated in the Rutherford County School system. Kathy was a joyful member of the Brooks Memorial United Methodist Church, and she worked for many years with Metro Parks & Recreation, McCabe Center. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, John and Emmalina Rankins (Smith); siblings: Gary Rankins, John Douglas Smith, Santoria Alsup and Shelia Patton. On the morning of Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Kathy was called to the Big Fishing Pond, and she grabbed those fishing poles. Here to forever cherish her memory are her husband, Wayne Russell; children Johnny Rankins Chumley and O’Leshia

Rankins Chumley; siblings Emma North, Ira Rankins, Beverly Cantrell, and Mi-chelle Brown; grandchildren: Jordan, John, Jeremiah, Johnny, Jonathan, Janyra, Malachi, Jade and Tre`; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and devoted friends.

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