Aria D Rankins

Obituary For Aria D Rankins

Aria Rankins, known to some as “Vi” or “Viola”, 65, was born on June 29th, 1957, in Memphis Tennessee to Daisy Mae Rankins and Madison Henry Rankins. She grew up in Memphis, specifically the Johnson Sub, a small, close-knit community where she formed life-long memories with her family and neighbors.

Aria was a high performing student and graduated a year early from high school. At the age of 17, she and John Edward Ray welcomed her first daughter, Christie “Chris”, and during her first marriage to Quentin Johnson she welcomed her second daughter Lora. In her early 20s, Aria moved with her 2 children to Seattle, WA in pursuit of good schools and a fresh start. While attending nursing school, she met her second husband, Mohamed Maulana, and they welcomed her third daughter Shale.

Aria was an esteemed and celebrated registered nurse for 27 years before retiring. She was a gifted gardener who loved roses, gardenias, and almost anything that bloomed. She enjoyed listening to music and playing instruments such as piano and guitar. She cherished time with family and friends, enjoyed cooking creative and delicious meals, watching old TV shows, and was an avid reader.

Aria is survived by her children Christie “Chris” Ray-Merriweather, Lora Celeste Johnson, and Shale Maulana; grandchildren Miles and Jackson Merriweather and Rumi Abraham; sister Jeannette Thompson; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, all whom she loved dearly.

Aria was preceded in death by her mother Daisy Mae Rankins, father Madison Henry Rankins, and brothers Robert Earl Britton, Larry Nathaniel Bennett, and Kenneth Wayne Rankins.

Aria passed away while in the company of her eldest daughter, Chris, at Methodist Germantown hospital on May 13, 2023. She was strong and faithful in her relationship with God, and stayed in prayer through the final moments of her rich and meaningful life.

The family will receive friends during the family hour on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 10:00am until 10:55am and memorial service at 11:00am, both services will be held at R. S. Lewis Funeral Home- Austin Peay Chapel, 3651 Austin Peay Hwy. Memphis, TN 38128.