DEBRA (DEBI) SOUTHARD RANKIN

Debra (Debi) Southard Rankin, 73, of Girard, Kansas passed away Monday, April 13, 2026 surrounded by family. She was born June 29^th, 1952 in Pittsburg, KS, the daughter of Gene and Margaret Southard.

She married the love of her life, Philip (Phil) John Rankin on June 15th, 1974, who preceded her in death.  She found companionship after Phil’s death with Tom Murnane of Girard.

She was a graduate of Girard High School, class of 1970.  Upon her marriage to Phil in 1974, they moved to Topeka, KS and then to Memphis, TN, before returning to southeast Kansas in 1979, where they built a life together and raised their family. During those years, she ran their local business aside Phil, and was active in the community as a classroom volunteer in her daughter’s younger years, Girl Scout leader for 12 years, served on several Boards of Directors including the Ozark Area Girl Scout Council, Big Brutus, 4 State Vettes and The Little Balkans Quilt Guild.

In 2020, she and Phil retired to their lake home in Garfield, AR, where she enjoyed the peaceful views of Beaver Lake and the life they had built together.

Debi enjoyed many hobbies in her life.  She enjoyed creating beautiful quilts to display proudly and later gift to family and friends.  In her later years, she took up knitting and enjoyed her time in knitting groups with her closest friends.

Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters, Kaitlin and Kinley. She loved supporting them in all they did and treasured every moment with them.

She is survived by her daughter Abbi and her husband Jim Sinclair, and granddaughters Kaitlin and Kinley Sinclair of Webb City, MO; brothers Mike (Tammie) Southard, Girard, Jeff (Cindy) Southard, Girard; nieces Jennifer Morris, Frontenac, Whitney (Colbie) Snyder, Pittsburg; nephews Jeromy (Rachel) Southard, Pittsburg and Jason (Katie) Southard, Pittsburg; several great-nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Funeral services will be held at Bedene Funeral Home in Arma on Thursday, April 16^th at 10:00 am with Pastor Andrew Stout officiating.  Graveside services to follow at Girard Cemetery.  A visitation will be held at Bedene Funeral Home in Arma on Wednesday, April 15^th from 6:00-7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Joplin Humane Society. Donations may be left at Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington St., Box 621, Arma, KS 66712.