Kayla Rankin

Kayla Rankin (Kelly) was born to Devetta Hill and Rick Kelly on June 30, 1990, in Frankfort, Kentucky. She is proceeded in her death by her grandparents Irene and Kenneth Hill and Clyde and Jo Kelly as well as beloved pets, Hughey, Gus and Kaze. She is survived by her husband John and daughter Ramsey (Rankin). Her parents Devetta Hill and Rick Kelly (Anita) and many beloved family members and friends.
She is a graduate of Morgan County High School (2008) where she was involved in 4-H Dog Club, FFA and was an all-star athlete playing basketball and leading her team in rebounding her senior year and her junior year she set a state record for track and field in the long jump. In 2012, she graduated from Morehead State University, with a degree in Animal Science. She began her professional career at Farm Credit Mid-America in 2012 and served in various roles and most recently was a Resolutions Officer serving farmers throughout Kentucky. She was actively involved in her community as a member of the Bourbon County Farm Bureau board, Bourbon County Homemakers, and a volunteer for a wide variety of agricultural organizations.
Kayla has remained a devoted UK sports fan, through both the highs and the many challenging seasons. Her deep compassion for animals has always been evident, she has even befriended wild foxes and other creatures, and for a time kept a cat carrier in her car just in case she came across an animal in need of a loving home. In recent years, she has developed a passion for birdwatching, learning to identify species by their calls, observing them through her binoculars, and caring for vulnerable baby birds when they needed protection from her hanging ferns. She loved the beach and relaxing in the pool. She was a nurturer, and she loved her tribe with her entire heart. You may find it interesting to know she was also a fan of emo-rock, high quality food and snacks, puzzles, being on the porch, the game Sorry and four-ply Charmin toilet paper.
Diagnosed in 2012 with epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML), she was one of only an estimated 123 people known to have the disease at the time yet another testament to how she truly is a one in a million human being. She courageously fought this disease for 14 years, never allowing cancer to define her journey or dictate her path. A fierce advocate and pioneer, she played an instrumental role in medical research that not only impacted on her own care but also helped pave the way for others facing the same diagnosis.
Above all, her faith and love for the Lord were at the center of who she was. Baptized at the age of 12 in Paintsville Lake, she held steadfast to her faith through every challenge, every opportunity, and every day she was given. With the unwavering support of her family and her deep trust in God, she pressed forward with remarkable strength becoming one of the strongest people anyone could ever know.
She is most importantly a follower of Christ, a dedicated mother and wife, a beloved daughter and friend.
Her celebration of life was held on Wednesday, April 22 from 3-6 p.m. at 6326 Paris Pike, Georgetown, KY 40324 in lieu of flowers please consider donating to UK Golisano Children’s at UK, Donate to Golisano Children’s at UK | UK Healthcare; MD Anderson https://gifts.mdanderson.org/Default.aspx?tsid=37435; St. Jude Children’s Research https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now.
The funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home Chapel, 1120 Main Street, Paris, KY. The online guestbook is at www.Lusk-McFarland.com and a 24-hour funeral information line can be reached by calling 859-987-4387.