Darlene Rankins, 75, passed away peacefully at her home with her husband and daughter by her side on March 26, 2016 after a 21 year battle of 9 different cancers.
Darlene was born in Antioch, CA to Jim and Minnie Cornelius. She was raised in Richmond, CA and graduated from Richmond High School in 1957. She met the love of her life, Leon Rankins, in 1959 and they married in 1960. They enjoyed 48 of their 56 years together in the family home they built in El Sobrante. Darlene worked for 35+ years in various classified jobs within the Richmond Unified School District (now WCCUSD). At the time of her retirement, she was the supervisor of food services for secondary schools.
Dar will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Leon Rankins, daughter Leesa Rankins, son-­in-­law John Moore, grandson Michael Fitzpatrick, step­grandson Joshua Moore, brother Ron Cornelius and his wife Dawn.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, April 1, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Rockefeller Lodge, 2650 Market Ave., San Pablo, CA 94806. Reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, SSBC Donation Center, 8400 Silver Crossing, Oklahoma City, OK 73132.