Betty Rankin

Betty June Davis Rankin, 90, passed away November 17, 2023 at the Throckmorton County Memorial Hospital. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at the First Baptist Church, Throckmorton, Texas with Rev. Peter Parker officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Throckmorton Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Throckmorton, Texas.

Betty was born on February 22, 1933 to Bart Johnson Davis and Oma Lee Alexander Davis in Menard, Texas. Her brothers were, William Edward Davis, Bobby Gene Davis, Kenneth Don Davis, Bert Johnson Davis, Derral Lee Davis, and Malcom Jack Davis; beloved sister, Dona Marie Guthrie.

Betty was raised in Brown County, She moved with her parents and family to Throckmorton when she was 17 years old. Here she met Robert Benjamin (Bobby) Rankin and they were married on April 7, 1951. Together they had five children, Janice Jerene Rankin Cheramie, Ricky Bob Rankin, Randy Davis Rankin, Robert Benjamin Rankin Jr.,and Ronnie Lee Rankin. They have 17 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.

Betty was a homemaker until her children got older. In 1974 she and Bobby bought and ran the B&B Steakhouse here in Throckmorton. People still talk about the chicken fried steaks, burgers & fries, and fried chicken lunches. After a few years she decided to slow down a bit and opened up a ceramic shop where she had a lot of fun. Soon there was a need for another cafe in town and she turned the shop into the Country Cafe. Again people came from all around to enjoy the food she prepared. Once again she tried to retire but to no avail. She agreed to be the cook at the Throckmorton County Senior Citizens Center.

She is preceded in death by her husband, her daughter, her parents, and all her siblings, and 1 grandson Jeffery Kirk Rankin.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Beasley and staff at the Throckmorton Hospital for the excellent care they provided for our mother.

Memorials can be made to the Throckmorton Cemetery Association or the Throckmorton County Volunteer Fire Department.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.