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Note: Joe Marcellos Rankin was born in Sarepta, Mississippi which is in present day Calhoun County on December 22, 1864 (There are several different dates listed for Joe as his DOB. On his death certificate it is listed as 1864, tombstone as 1866 and his obituary as 1861, and Mary Catherine Halbrook's records it was 1864). He had a twin that died at birth. Joe was so small when he was born that they didn't expect him to live. Melvin Rankin had related this: "He was so small you could have put him in a coffee pot. They didn't expect him to live. They placed him in a box and put it by the stove to keep him warm. Joe did survive though, and raised a large family himself. Etta Rankin Gates related the story that Joe Marcellos became very upset with Theopholus because of something to do with his (Theo.) wives. Joe Marcellos packed up his family to move. Theopholus came up to him as they leaving, and said that Joe shouldn't leave him, that he couldn't do this. After Theo had ceased to speak, Joe said "Is that all?" and he left. This is when they moved to Lafayette County, I believe. In the school census for 1912, the Rankin children were going to school in the southwestern corner of Lafayette County, although we have been unable to determine the name of the school thus far. J.W. (sic) Rankin is listed as parent/guardian on the Lafayette County Educable Children 1912, Township 10 Range 4 (Below Taylor, near Springdale): Etta- 13 (F); Marvin-11 (M); Maxie-8 (M); Lillian-6 (F). Schools listed in this area on the 1913 USDA Soils map are Browning, Lester and Church Grove Schools. There is some contraversy as to when the family moved to Texas. The date most often stated was 1914. Charlie was born in in 1912, and was said to be toddler when they moved. Lillian and Odie drove a team of red mules to Texas carrying the family's household goods. The rest of the family rode the train to Texas. They got off the train in the small town of Edgewood. It is said that Joe Rankin got his first job from Mr Humphries. The Humphries had also moved from Mississippi to Texas. I have been told that their house sat across from where the Dairy Queen does today (2000). The Humphrie's house has been made into a Bed & Breakfast. Joe moved his family south of Edgewood off of Farm to Market road 859. The Rankin family next moved to the Tundra area which is just south of Canton. Marvin Rankin is buried in the Cool Springs Cemetery in Tundra. After Marvin's tragic death, Joe couldn't stand to continue to live in Tundra and moved his family north of Edgewood. The family later moved to Wills Point. They first lived down on Bull Duram Road. They later moved to the old section of 751, which is now called Highland street. Mamma and Pappa Rankin lived there until their deaths. They both became sick, and died one week apart. Marvin had not married at the time of his death. He and another man, J. A. Goss, were killed when the car they were driving was struck by a train just west of Elmo, Texas. Today, the train tracks are raised over the road. Family stories have said, that shortly after Marvin's death the railroad decide to build the overpass because so many people had been killed at that crossing. Marvin did not die at the scene, but was taken to the hospital. It was said that he was a free bleeder and bled to death. Alvie became very ill, and several of the Rankins loaded him in the car and started to Terrell with him. As the went around the curve in the road just down from where Marvin was killed, they stopped to get some ice at a house there. Alvie was burning up with fever. When they stopped at the house, no one was home. They went around to the back of the house and got some ice out of the ice box. They continued on to the Terrell hospital. Alvie died there.
Obituary for Joe follows:
Funeral Services Held March 20 for J.M. Rankin Joe Marcellos Rankin was born in Sarepta, Miss., December 22, 1861, and passed away at his home here Sunday evening, March 19, at 9:30 O�clock. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, Marach 20, at 3:30 o�clock with Rev. Mouzon Fletcher conducting the services. He was assisted by Rev. James Riley and Rev. Raymond Flaherty. Mr Rankin was married to Emma Lewellyn in December 1891, and moved to Texas in 1914. He had been a member of the Methodist church since early manhood. He is survived by his wife and seven children, O.M. Rankin of Canton, Miss., Mrs. W.L. Gates of Dallas, J.K. Rankin, Melvin Rankin and Mrs. Lillian Lagston of Willis Point, Harvey Rankin of Lubbock, and Charlie Rankin of Clinton, Miss. Four children pre- ceded him in death. He is also survived by nineteen grandchil- dren, two great grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. B. A Ritchie of Houston and Mrs. M. E. Burris of Pittsboro, Miss. Pallbearers were Russell Gallo- way, Chester Hardy, B.L. Knight, Joe Crow, B. L. Brecken- ridge and Walter Lamb. Interment was at Union Grove cemetery under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home. Out-of-town people attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Halbrook, Mr and Mrs. W.T. Spradlin, Mrs Lydia Rankin, Mrs. Laura Miller, Mr and Mrs. E. C. Gates, Mrs. Carol McBride of Edgewood, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Waggoner and Billy of Bonham, E. M. Gabbert of Grand Saline, W.R. Lewellyn and J.K. Lew- ellyn of Canton, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Anglin of Lubbock and Mr. and Mrs. Cade Liner of Terrell.
Taken from the Wills Point Chronicle, Friday, March 24, 1950
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