Bobbye Simmons Rankin, 78, former missionary and international speaker, passed from this life into her long-anticipated heavenly home on Monday, January 2, 2023, at her home in Clinton, where she was being cared for by her husband of 57 years, Dr. Jerry Rankin. Ms. Bobbye, as she was known by close friends and students, was a graduate of Mississippi College and served with her husband for 40 years with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board (IMB). The Rankins retired in Clinton in 2010 where Mrs. Rankin was a member of Morrison Heights Baptist Church and former member of the Clinton Study Club.

Although born in Mobile, Alabama, she grew up in the Fair River Community in Lincoln County, Mississippi, and graduated from Enterprise High School in 1962 as valedictorian of her class. Her parents were Lester Lee Simmons of Holmsville in Pike County and Ila V. Stephenson Simmons of Ackerman. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Mississippi College in 1966 where she received numerous honors, including selection to the Hall of Fame, Miss Mississippi College and homecoming queen. In 2021 she was selected as Alumnus of Year in a co-award with her husband.

Following graduation and marriage to Jerry Rankin of Clinton, she lived in Texas where she attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, taught in the Arlington Public Schools, and served alongside her husband, who was minister of youth at Sagamore Hill Baptist Church and later pastor of Sadler Baptist Church. It was while at Sadler her two children were born, Lori in 1968 and Russell in 1970.

In 1970, the Rankins were appointed as missionary church planters to Indonesia by the IMB. Mrs. Rankin was engaged in church and home ministries, and homeschooled her children while using English classes as a witness to Muslim women and students. After 14 years, Dr. Rankin became the associate area director for Southeast Asia, requiring a move to Bangkok, Thailand, where Bobbye directed staff of the English language program at the Baptist Student Center which enrolled more than 2,000 students. She also led an international singles ministry for young adults from all over the world at Calvary Baptist Church in Bangkok.

The Rankins completed their 23 years of overseas service in Singapore, when her husband became the area director for South and Southeast Asia. Bobbye traveled with him, visiting and encouraging missionary families in 15 countries throughout South and Southeast Asia, spending major portions of time in India.

Dr. Rankin became the tenth president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board in 1993; based in Richmond, Virginia, he served in that capacity for 17 years until retirement in 2010. Bobbye worked in a supportive role, traveling to 130 countries and became a prominent speaker at mission meetings, prayer retreats and international women's conferences. She was a passionate advocate of sacrificial service and obedience to Christ and was known for memorizing and quoting lengthy passages of Scripture, especially from the Psalms.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; one sister, Bettye Douglas and her husband Richard of Brookhaven, MS; her two children, Lori Rankin Moses of Merritt Island, Florida, and Russell Simmons Rankin (and his wife, Angela) of Waco, Texas; six grandchildren, Sam, Mia and Gloria Moses; Zachary (and his wife, Madison), Joseph and Anna Grace Rankin; and two great-grandchildren, Wells and Wrenley Rankin. Especially dear to her were her three nieces, Rhonda Baird and Ramona Ozier of Jackson, and Robyn Aker of Brookhaven.

A celebration of life service will be held at Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton at 2:30 pm, Saturday, January 7, following an early morning private family burial service at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will also be at the church from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday evening as well as 1:00-2:30 pm prior to the Celebration of Life service on Saturday.