Christy L. Rankin

Christy Lynne Rankin, 43, formerly of Jonesboro, died of natural causes on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at her home in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Born in Jonesboro, Christy lived 15 years in Tampa, Florida before moving to Fayetteville, North Carolina last year. She was a 1984 graduate of Jonesboro High School where she was the Arkansas Overall Tennis Champion and was named All-State and All-American. Christy graduated college from the University of Arkansas where she was a four-year Letterman for the Lady Razorback Tennis Team and a member of Phi Mu Sorority.

Christy served as Assistant Tennis Pro for the Highland Tennis Country Club and she previously worked at the University of South Florida for several years instructing tennis classes. At the Saddlebrook Resort, she served as Professional Tennis Instructor for the Harry Hopman International Tennis Academy. She spent time teaching in Boca Raton, Florida and worked numerous international clinics including places in China, Japan, and the Cayman Islands.

In addition to her passion for teaching tennis, Christy loved music and was a gifted pianist. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro.

Christy was preceded in death by a sister, Sally Ann Rankin, by her maternal grandmother, Frances Braley, and by her paternal grandparents: Nate and Gladys Rankin.

Survivors include her parents: Tommy and Barbara Rankin; a sister and her husband, Jill and Darin Kincannon; a brother and his wife, Matt and Jennifer Rankin; and grandparents, John and Mary John Braley, all of Jonesboro. Christy was a loving aunt to Elizabeth and Nate Kincannon, and Madison and Reese Rankin.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at 10:30 in the First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro with Rev. John Miles officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park.

Pallbearers include: Eric Eckert, Jay Hurt, Roger Hurt, Blant Hurt, Jay Melton, Hunter Hanshaw, Pard Pryor and Will Johnson.

Visitation will be held Monday evening from 4:30-7:30 at Emerson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that consideration be given to First United Methodist Church, 801 S. Main St., Jonesboro, AR 72401, the NEA Humane Society, 6011 E. Highland, Jonesboro, AR 72401, Jonesboro Church Health Center, 500 Kitchen St., Jonesboro, AR 72401, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.