Gladys M. Rankin (Haugabook)

Gladys Mearl Rankin, was born Gladys Mearl Haugabook to the late Franklin and Elzadie Haugabook on October 21, 1936, in Dozier, Alabama. Gladys was one of six children. In 1943, the family moved to Niagara Falls, New York. Gladys graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1954 and from Kelly Business Institute with high honors in 1956.

She was united in holy matrimony to Sammie L. Rankin on June 22, 1957. They have 4 sons and 7 daughters. Gladys was a dedicated wife who revered her husband with the greatest joy. She was the utmost wife and mother. Her employment choices always centered around her being readily available and accessible to her husband and her children. Gladys was employed at Griffin Manor, Airco Speer, followed by Union Carbide, and later at Area One. Her business acumen was in executive secretarial professional services.

Gladys enjoyed spending time with family and friends. One of her greatest delights was spending quality time with her grandchildren who were like her own biological children as she frequently would exclaim “I raised you!” Another one of her favorite pastimes was shopping. She would joyfully proclaim “a woman’s place is in the mall!” She was a connoisseur of hats especially designer hats.

Gladys was musically inclined. She started playing the piano at an early age. She also had a uniquely beautiful and rich soprano voice. She always kept a song close to her heart and would sing or hum morning, noon, and/or night.
Gladys accepted Christ at the age of 25 while attending New Jerusalem Revival Center on 10th & Fairfield Ave. During the altar call, the power of God filled Gladys with the Holy Ghost. When her husband saw the glory that exuded upon her countenance it caused a hunger and thirst for God within him. She had a smile upon her face that he had never seen before. Gladys had what her husband wanted. He wanted to have that same experience - an authentic and deliberate encounter with God!

Gladys served alongside and supported her husband in ministry as he ministered to churches throughout the surrounding Western New York area and across the country. Gladys served as the executive secretary of the Independent Church of God in Christ (ICOGIC) General Assembly; assistant executive secretary of the ICOGIC National Sunday School Department; chairwoman of the annual ICOGIC Women’s Day and ICOGIC Women’s National Convention, and she was a member of the Koinonia movement, a spiritual engagement group of believers.

Gladys supported her husband’s ecumenical appointments from 1962 until his retirement in 2018 which is comprised of the diaconate, licentric, ordained ministry, Assistant Pastorate, Bishopric in the Independent Church of God in Christ, and Pastorate of the New Jerusalem Revival Center ICOGIC.

Friday, July 15, 2022 Gladys heard the call and transitioned from her labor to reward and now she is in glory with her Lord.
In addition to her parents, Gladys was preceded in death by four brothers, Charles “Buck” Haugabook, C.W. Haugabook, James Carl Haugabook, and Derosha Haugabook, one sister Annie Maude Ware and her beloved grandson Samuel David Rankin Jr.

Gladys leaves to cherish her memories, the love of her life for over 65 years, Bishop Sammie L. Rankin, affectionately known as her “Honey Baby Darling Sam”, four sons, Kevin (Kathleen) Haugabook of Niagara Falls, NY, Samuel David (Lila) Rankin of Niagara Falls, NY, Paul Rankin of Niagara Falls, NY, and Jason (Patricia) Rankin of Douglasville, GA; seven daughters, Vanessa Rankin of Niagara Falls, NY, Gigi Rankin of Indianapolis, IN, Sheila Rankin of Buffalo, NY, Alisa Rankin of Stockbridge, GA, Marcia Faith Rankin of Niagara Falls, NY, Kaunita (Bishop LC) Barnes of Wayne, MI, and Ericka Rankin of Conyers, GA; one stepson – Uland (Janice) Gladden of Buffalo, NY, 6 grandsons - Damon Rankin, Sheldon Rankin, Cameron Barnes, Michael Hamilton, Christopher Rankin, & Jason Rankin Jr.; 9 granddaughters Tarra (Saleem) Winters, Tiffany (Jerromy) Evans, Brittany Jones, Ashley (Terrell) Williams, Stephany Rankin, Ivery Simone McCray, Ebony Nelson, Jazmine McCray, & Marissa Rankin; 9 great-grandchildren; and in-laws Katie Haugabook, Elder Charlie Lewis (Juanita) Jones, Dr. Hattie Pearl (Supt Dr. Terrell) Harris, Dorothy (Roy) Beddingfield, Dr. Mae Sue Green, Vernestien Martin, Supt. Abraham (Earlene) Jones, and Bettye Sangster and a host of nieces and nephews, loving cousins, and friends.