Missy Rankin

Marjorie Rankin has spent her life in the creeks, woods, and hills of the ancient Uwharrie Mountains that meander through Randolph County in North Carolina, specifically Asheboro. A huge fig bush under which lived a wonderland of tiny creatures and a creek in her backyard where she discovered a very large faceted quartz, which with utmost certainty she thought to be a diamond, were true “a-ha!” nature experiences of her childhood.

As an adult, her experience over several years as a neonatal volunteer at the North Carolina Zoological Park caring for newborn chimpanzees and various hoofstock offered further insight into the amazing world of nature.
She is the wife of Sam Rankin, Jr., of Asheboro and mother to their three adult children — Griffin, Wescott, and Carlisle — and grandmother to four youngsters who jump right in to nature projects on most visits to their grandparents’ home.

Through the years she has cared for numerous dogs, cats, ponies, horses, a donkey, and two Cotswold sheep, with pleasure. She is an avid gardener and volunteer on a number of local and statewide boards over many years.

P.S. The quartz still resides upon her desk.