RANKIN, CECIL M.

Cecil Maurice Rankin, 80, of Waco, passed away Wednesday, August 25, 2004, in a Waco nursing facility.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jimmy Spann officiating. Burial will be in Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque.

Cecil was born September 21, 1923, in Streetman, to Roy and Alice Pearl (Jackson) Rankin. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines on January 6, 1943, and was honorably discharged on May 6, 1945, with a Purple Heart. He moved to Waco in 1945, and was a machine operator at General Tire for 37 years. He married Billie L. Graves on September 1, 1945 in Mexia. He was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Billie; daughter, Donna Markum of Waco; granddaughter, Kristy Hill and husband Brooks of Rowlett; great-grandson, Kaden Hill; his beloved five nieces and nephews, and those he has acquired by his marriage, his faithful friends, pastors and doctors.

The family especially thanks to the Hillcrest Homecare and Hospice, and the American Cancer Society. Memorials can be made to either of these organizations.

Pallbearers will be Larry Davis, E.P. Markham, Bill Roden, Ralph LaFrentz, Elbert Grimes, and Garland Price.

Honorary pallbearers will be Homer Spegal, Melvin Ephraim, Jack Holcomb, and Scott Bates.