P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }

Nov. 16, 1946 – March 10, 2015

FAYETTE — Services for deacon Robert E. Lee Rankin Sr., 68, of Fayette, who died Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at Jefferson County Hospital in Fayette, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hollywood Baptist Church with the Rev. Earnest Ford Sr. officiating.

Burial will follow at the Taylor’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Rankin was born Nov. 16, 1946, in Fayette, the son of Moses and Frances T. Rankin.

He accepted Christ at an early age and was a deacon at Taylor’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He was also the organizer of the first political leadership consecration service in Jefferson County.

Mr. Rankin was a carpenter and builder.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Shymetris Michelle Rankin; nine siblings, Lillie Moses, Horace Lee, Mable, Eva Mae, Noah, Eddie, A.J., Ida Nell and Lillie.

Survivors include his loving and dedicated wife, Jean Marie Rankin, who remained by his side constantly, often time, forsaking herself for his well-being; one daughter, Jacquelyn Denise Rankin Anderson and husband, Karl, of Fayette; one son, Master Sgt. Robert Lee Rankin Jr. and wife, Nicholle, of San Diego, Calif.; three acquired grandchildren who he loved dearly, Alvin Davis Jr. of San Diego, Carlos Anderson and Kimberly White, both of Fayette; four sisters, Willa Brown of Chicago, Ora Rankin, Frances Perryman and husband, Alford, and Carolyn James and husband, Jimmie, all of Fayette; 11 brothers, Joe Rankin and wife, Claudette, Isaac Rankin and wife, Gloria, and Calvin Rankin, all of New Orleans, Clifton Rankin, Roger Rankin, Leroy Rankin, Leroy Rankin and wife, Ollie Jean, Lenon Rankin and wife, Helen, Jerry Brown and wife, Shirley, Barney L. Rankin and wife, Gloria Jean, all of Fayette, Franklin Rankin and wife, Lavera, of Natchez and Carl Rankin and wife, Iris, of Jackson; four brothers-in-law, the Rev. Leon Howard and wife, Louise, Robert Howard and wife, Tonya, Ivory Howard and D.W. Howard and wife, Carrie; three sisters-in-law, Isabella Howard, Cordelia McMorris and husband, Wayne, and Emma Davis and husband, Charles; and a number of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.