Miss Rankin

Miss Ruth Lathram Rankin, 74, a prominent Fleming Countian, passed away peacefully at her home Friday, June 19, 2009.
She was born April 21, 1935, a daughter of the late Charles E. Rankin and Dorothy Lathram Rankin. A sister, Ann Rankin Cannon also preceded her in death.

She graduated from Fleming County High School and from Asbury College in Wilmore. She received her master's degrees from both the University of Kentucky and Duke University.
An English teacher for 30 years, Ruth taught at both the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University's Laboratory Schools and finished her career in the Fleming County school system. She was well known by her former students for never forgetting a name and always took pride in their achievements.
A person of strong faith, Ruth was a member of the Flemingsburg First United Methodist Church and served on several church boards as long as her health permitted. She was always one of the first parishioners to welcome and new pastor and their family into the local church family.
Ruth had a multitude of interests that ranged from knitting and cross stitch, decorating, gourmet cooking, reading, travel and was well known as a devoted University of Kentucky sports fan, who attended games whenever possible. One of her fondest memories was when she and her father listened to the Cincinnati Reds baseball games on their transistor radio. She later attended many major league baseball games and was especially interested in following the career of Fleming County's own Woodie Fryman.
As someone who took great pride in her community, Ruth served on the Fleming County Library Boards, the historical society and served as chairperson of the Fleming County Hospital Board. She was recently bestowed the prestigious title of Chairperson Emeritus. A visionary, she played an instrumental role in planning and decorating the modern, state of the art structure that is today's Fleming County Hospital. One of the proudest moments of her life was the hospital's dedication ceremony in July 2008.
She is survived by cousins, Mrs. Winifred Burden of Fleming County, Miss Roberta Lathram of Fairfield, Ohio, Mrs. Marjorie Winfough and family of Liberty Township, Ohio; loving companions, Sandy Collier and Hazel Kerns; and a host of close friends.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at the Denton-Workman Funeral Home.
Visitation 5 - 8 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home.
Donations may be made to Flemingsburg First United Methodist Church or the Fleming County Hospital.