Obituaries
Desmel 'Big Boy' Rannals
By Cooper-Sorrels Funeral Home in Honey Grove
Sep 9, 2026
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Honey Grove, Texas -- Desmel “Big Boy” Rannals, 104, of Honey Grove, Texas, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Paris Regional Hospital. Desmel was born August 5, 1922, in Maud, Oklahoma, to Manuel T. Rannals and Cora Bell Gammon. He grew up in a large family of eight children, including two sets of twins. Desmel’s twin brother was Esmel “Little Boy” Rannals.

Desmel proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. He was assigned to the USS Idaho, serving in the Pacific following the Battle of Midway. He participated in every major Pacific offensive, including the campaign at Okinawa and the final operations near Japan. Unknown to Desmel at the time, his twin brother, Esmel, was serving in the US Army in the same campaign and was wounded at Okinawa.

Desmel was aboard the USS Idaho with the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay when the peace treaty with Japan was signed. He remained extremely proud of his service to his country throughout his life.

On April 7, 1951, Desmel married the love of his life, Wilma Sibitha Roach, in Paris, Texas. Together, they shared 73 loving years of marriage, raising their family and working side by side on their ranch and farm.

Desmel was a member of Maxey Baptist Church and Collins Masonic Lodge #356 of Tigertown, Texas. He served as a board member to the Honey Grove I.S.D.

He was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Wilma Sibitha Rannals, parents, Manuel T. and Cora Bell Rannals, and all seven of his siblings.

Desmel is survived by his daughters, Shelley Adams and husband Curtis of Maxey, Texas, and Vickie Oliver and husband Ricky of Paris, Texas; grandson, Clint Adams and wife Brittany of Honey Grove, Texas; great-grandsons, Cooper Adams and Canyon Adams of Honey Grove, Texas; and brother-in-law Thomas Roach and wife Martha of Paris, Texas.

Visitation will be held at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home Honey Grove, Texas 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Friday, September 11, 2026. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 11, 2026 at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home Chapel in Honey Grove, Texas. Officiating will be Rev. Wade White and Rev. Mike Lawson.

Pallbearers are to be Michael Lawson, Matthew Lawson, Don Crutchfield, Don Smith, Otho Bowmer and Curtis Adams; and, posthumously, Wendell Rains, Dopey Clark, Clarice Banker, Finus Wade and Vester Crutchfield.

To share a memory or leave an online condolence, visit www.coopersorrells.com