June 5, 1933 – Feb. 22, 2025
June Rankin McCorkle Ellen, known best as Nana (or Nannie to Kale), was born on June 5, 1933, and met her Jesus on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, surrounded by her girls holding her hands and brushing through her silky silver hair. Nana took three deep breaths with us and then opened her eyes in Glory staring straight into the face of Jesus. While we are unbelievably heartbroken, we are filled with an unbelievable peace thinking of Nana hearing our Lord and Savior tell her, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Nana was the embodiment of … everything. She could be just as irreverent as she was prayerful. She made sure her babies were in church praising and praying to Jesus every Sunday. She also made sure they lost every game of Uno with the help of a few “bonus” cards placed strategically under leg. She would bake you the best homemade bread you’ll ever taste and then serve it to you still hot and covered in melted butter while wearing her scary mask, leaving you terrified while her giggles filled the house.
Nana reminded us frequently what an honor and privilege it is to share the love and hope of Jesus with those we know as well as those we don’t. She imprinted on us that sharing the gospel is our ultimate purpose and responsibility. It didn’t matter the context; Nana was going to ask if you knew Jesus and if you had a relationship with Him. Whether you met her at the beauty shop, handed her fourth Arby’s sandwich of the week, or owned her favorite roadside stand selling fresh tomatoes and cucumbers — Nana wanted to know if you had Jesus in your heart. If you told her yes, she prayed for you. If you told her no, she prayed harder for you. The last time Nana was in the hospital, her ER doctor offered to pray with us. We joined hands, but before the doctor could begin praying, Nana spoke up and started praying — taking us to church from her hospital bed.
June Rankin married James “Corky” McCorkle, Jr., in 1952 and welcomed a daughter, Julia Lynn, a year later. From their lakefront home on Millwood Lake in Saratoga, Ark., Corky became Superintendent of Saratoga Schools with the school gymnasium subsequently being named in his honor, and Nana worked for Southern Cement before becoming the founder and proprietor of a women’s clothing boutique, The Saratoga Trunk. Following Corky’s passing in 1984, Nana moved from Millwood to Texarkana to be closer to her girls.
Nana met Robert Ellen, known to us as Daddy Bob, in 1991. She and Daddy Bob were married until his passing in 2010.
Our Nana is survived and celebrated by her cherished daughter Julie (Jimmy) McCorkle Williams; granddaughter Jill (Derell) Douglas and great-granddaughter Sophie Blair; granddaughter Blair (Chris) Looney, great-granddaughter Kennedy Reese, and great-grandson Kale Allen. Nana is also survived by granddaughter Jennifer (Donald) Lawrence and her children, Taylor, Adison, and Lawson.
Nana was joyously welcomed into Heaven by her parents, King and Vollie Rankin, her beloved Corky, and her siblings Jonnie, Bill, Frances, and Bennie.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 5-7 p.m. at Texarkana Funeral Home, Texas Boulevard location. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. at Sugar Hill Church on Sugar Hill Road in Texarkana, Ark., with a private family burial to follow. Pallbearers are Jimmy Williams, Chris Looney, Derell Douglas, Donald Lawrence, Lawson Wright, and Brandon Gray.
In lieu of Flowers, please make donations in our Nana’s memory to Hospice of Texarkana.
Family will receive friends at 3707 Maplecrest Street, Texarkana, TX 75503.
