On Jan. 18, 2021, Robert Allen Ranney, beloved husband of Julia, beloved father and grandfather of many, went to heaven while in the loving arms of his wife and surrounded by family.
He was born to George and Isabelle Ranney on May 18, 1946. He grew up in Dummerston, VT. After graduating from BUHS, he traveled to all of the lower 48 states in a homemade wooden camper that he and his friend built, painted blue, and put on the back of a pickup truck.
He then joined and served in the US Army as a tank mechanic before settling back in Vermont. At the age of 27, he accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior, beginning a lifelong walk with the Lord.
In 1973, he met the love of his life, Julia. They married on Nov. 13 of that year. They bought their first dairy farm on their honeymoon, which they appropriately named Honeymoon Hill Farm in Bridport, VT. He thought one of the perks of running a farm was to have your wife working alongside you.
In 1977, they purchased and moved to the farm Robert grew up on in Dummerston, VT, renaming it Honeymoon Valley Farm. Robert enjoyed farming life, having Julia and his family working alongside him. It did not matter whether he was out surveying his alfalfa and cornfields, milking cows, bailing hay with his John Deere tractor, he just enjoyed all of it.
In 1992, they moved with their five children to Cornwall, VT, where they would reside until they “retired” from farming in 2004. They then founded Little Blessings Quilt Shop in Crossville. Their shop was named in honor of their grandchildren. Robert and Julia have loved working together at their quilt shop, with Robert often referring to his customers as company.
When we think of Robert, there are a few things that come quickly to mind: a strong, hard-working and kind man of God, with a strong faith in Jesus Christ. He took much joy in family, but Julia was truly his best friend, love of his life and greatest joy.
He is survived by wife, Julia (Cassidy) Ranney; children, Rachael Ranney, Robb Aaron Ranney, Rebecca Jacunski (husband Mark, their daughters Abi and Deena), Joshua Ranney (wife Nikki and their children Salinn, Obadiah, Hosea, Amos, Emma, Silas, Lydia, Faith, Mercy, Joshua, Laura and Ellie), and Joleena Audet (husband Cliff and their children Nicholas [Meaghan], Joseph [Lillian], Hannah, Samuel, Grace, Jonathan, Ruth, Leah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Nathaniel); and brother, Charles Ranney. Predeceased by parents, George and Isabelle Ranney, and brother, Harold Ranney.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 3 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church, with visitation prior to the service from 2-3 p.m..
Bilbrey Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
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