Ina Danell Rankins
August 17, 1969 – September 5, 2020

Ina Danell Rankins was born August 17, 1969 in Houston, Texas to Johnny and Debra Rankins. Shortly after, Ina and her parents moved to San Francisco, CA where she was raised and attended the San Francisco Unified School District. In her late teens, Ina returned to Houston to spend time with her grandparents, and became a member of Sunbeam Circle #12 under the Order of the Eastern Stars. During this time, she was baptized by the late Reverend Joseph Brown, Sr. at Pure Light Missionary Baptist Church in Houston’s Fifth Ward, and became an active member of the choir.
Ina was friendly, outgoing, and loved to travel, and aspired to eventually travel the world. She had a love for fashion and a passion for cooking. She enjoyed cooking for her family and trying different recipes. Her beginning specialty was lasagna and as her cooking progressed over the years; her goal was to make the perfect chocolate Ganache.
Ina departed this life on Saturday, September 5, 2020 and was preceded in death by her grandmothers, Jeannette Brooks and Beatrice Rankins; and her cousins Sheila Jackson and Reina Brooks.
Ina leaves to cherish her memories to her two sons: Daydren Rankins, Lephus Nelson of Houston, TX, and one daughter: Jada Rankins of Suffolk, VA; six grandchildren: Skylar, Jacqueline and Jocelyn of Suffolk, VA, and Ian, Iyanna, and Kennedi of Houston, TX; parents: Johnny and Debra Rankins of Houston, TX; grandfather: John W. Brooks of Houston, TX; her favorite cousin, Stephanie Rankins of Houston, TX; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Ina Danell Rankins was born August 17, 1969 in Houston, Texas. Shortly after, her family moved to San Francisco, CA where she grew up and attended the San Francisco Unified School District. She was raised by her parents, Johnny and Debra Rankins. There was nothing she wanted that they didn’t provide. She often reminisced about their family trips together and the little things they taught her. Long into her adult years, they continued to be there to guide and support her.
In Texas, Ina visited with her parents, Willie Charles and Velma Williams. Here, Ina got to enjoy the benefits of having loving siblings and the craziness of sibling rivalry. She loved to visit with them and she spoke of them often, especially “Mama Mae” (Mae Hall). Ina’s vibrant, bubbly, and caring personality stemmed from the love and care of all who loved her.
In her late teens, Ina returned to Houston to spend time with her grandparents, and became a member of Sunbeam Circle #12 under the Order of the Eastern Stars. During this time she was baptized by the late Reverend Joseph Brown, Sr. at Pure Light Missionary Baptist Church in Houston’s Fifth Ward and became an active member of the choir.
Ina was friendly, outgoing, and loved to travel; and aspired to eventually travel the world. She had a love for fashion and a passion for cooking. She enjoyed cooking for her family and trying different recipes. Her beginning specialty was lasagna, and as her cooking progressed over the years; her goal was to make the perfect chocolate Ganache.
Ina departed this life on Saturday, September 5, 2020 and was preceded in death by her grandmothers, Jeannette Brooks, Cora Williams, and Beatrice Rankins; her nephew Marc Scott, and her cousins Sheila Jackson and Reina Brooks.
Ina leaves to cherish her memories to her two sons: Daydren Rankins and Lephus Nelson of Houston, TX, and one daughter: Jada Rankins of Suffolk, VA; six grandchildren: Skylar, Jacqueline and Jocelyn of Suffolk, VA, and Ian, Iyanna, and Kennedi of Houston, TX; parents: Johnny and Debra Rankins, and Willie and Velma Williams, all of Houston, TX; six sisters: Sonja Williams, Christine Williams, Sonya Patterson, Ramona Tousant, Shekateda Warren-Lamb of Houston, TX, and Loresa Rankins of San Francisco, CA; one brother: Willie C. Williams of Houston, TX; grandfather: John W. Brooks of Houston, TX; favorite cousin, Stephanie Rankins of Houston, TX; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.