Polly “Rankin” Suber Morrison Craig

Beauty queen, welder, gardener, mischievous prankster, beloved friend, mother and “Granny,” Rankin Craig passed away peacefully on the evening of August 27, 2022. She was 87 years old. Rankin was born in Greenville, SC minutes ahead of her twin, Shell Jr., to parents Walter Shell Suber, Sr. of Whitmire and Margaret Martin Suber of Greenville. The twins, along with their older sister Margaret, were quite a fearsome trio. Raised in the ‘Pearl of the Piedmont’ (Whitmire), they had an idyllic upbringing. After winning Miss South Carolina and while on scholarship at the University of South Carolina, Rankin finished 2nd runner up in the first televised Miss America Pageant. (She took first place in the swimsuit competition and her talent was a dramatic reading!) While covering for her sister “Maggie” on a blind date, she met her first husband Sidney Emmett Morrison, Jr. As their family grew they moved throughout the Southeast, pursuing Emmett’s medical education, settling in Florida. This chapter was filled to the brim with camping trips in their cherished pop-up camper, scouting adventures, church activities, pool parties, dance recitals, and many, many, puppies (most of them, poodles). During this time, Rankin dabbled in the real estate business, served as President of both the Junior Women’s Club and the Medical Guild, and also as the self-proclaimed neighborhood barber - everyone had to get permission to get a mohawk! After divorcing, Rankin returned to her native South Carolina with her kids. She was welcomed home by the love and support of her twin brother, her parents, and her University of South Carolina family. Soon, in an adult education class at AC Flora High School, Rankin’s world transformed again when a WWII veteran, construction company owner, recent widower and true southern charmer named Col. Charles (Charlie) Justice Craig swept her off her feet. Rankin and Charlie quickly fell in love, and they were married on Labor Day in 1973. He had four children of his own, and from then on Rankin was proud to say they had seven children and eventually, 15 grandchildren. For the next 25 phenomenal years, they traveled the world together, recording their trips through a vast collection of photo albums. They visited every continent, including Antarctica. Their homebase was a beautiful house on Lake Murray, which they lovingly dubbed ‘Craig Cove.’ They also spent time at the homes they built in Asheville, NC (Craig Cottage), and Isle of Palms, SC (C-Drift), and found so much joy in sharing those places with their friends and family. After Charlie's death in 1998, Rankin spent more time at her townhouse in Forest Acres on Gills Creek. But, her love of traveling didn’t stop. Over the next several years, she took each of her grandchildren on a special “Granny Trip,” gifting each of them a unique, but similar, set of memories of traveling with their wacky, gregarious Granny. She loved each of her grandchildren immensely and made sure they knew it, advising them always to “pick your friends wisely; make your life meaningful to others; learn from people you admire, respect, and love.” Those who knew her understood there wasn’t one thing that Rankin couldn’t or wouldn't try. She became a Master Gardener through a Clemson extension program, and studied Metal Sculpture at Lexington Tech. She was a talented jewelry maker, sang in the Eastminster Presbyterian Church choir every Sunday, and boy, did she love to dance. (To catch her jitterbugging with her twin was something to see!) Rankin also had a bold and untamed fashion sense; she was extraordinary at dressing, or “costuming,” for any part. She made others feel welcomed in any conversation, and rarely met a stranger. She was total elegance with dirt under her fingernails. Rankin leaves behind a vast community of loving individuals and a wonderful family that she was extraordinarily proud of. She is survived by her twin brother, W. Shell Suber, Jr.; her three children and their spouses - Dr. Sid Morrison (Meg), and Polly Sim (John) of Columbia, SC, and Hollis Wise (Jim) of Atlanta, GA; six grandchildren - Rankin Livingston (Josh), Emmett Morrison, and Mattie Sim of Columbia, SC, Dr. Daniel Morrison (Rachel) of Charlottesville, VA, and Sidney Wise (Luke Maschinot) and Patrick Wise of Atlanta, GA; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her step-daughters - Eleanor Craig (Frankie), Patsy Malanuk (Bob), and Susan Craig (Wayne Smith), all of Columbia, SC; nine step-grandchildren - Michael and Charles Pulliam, Nita Moore, Harriet Poston, Trisha Morris, Bennett and Edward Smith, and Josh and Sara Frances Craig; and a niece and four nephews. Rankin was predeceased by her parents, Walter Shell Suber, Sr. and Margaret Martin Suber; her sister, Margaret Price Potter; her sister-in-law, Linda Suber; her step-son, Mike Craig; her first husband, Dr. Sidney Emmett Morrison, Jr.; and her husband, Col. Charles Justice Craig. Rankin and her family are eternally grateful for the kind and devoted caretakers at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community. A memorial service will be held at Eastminster Presbyterian Church on September 6, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in celebration of Rankin’s life can be made to the Music Ministry at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, or an organization of your choice. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.