Dr. Earnest Lee Rankin, Sr.

Dr. Earnest Lee Rankin, Sr. was born in Simpson County, Mississippi on March 12, 1947 to Eliza Marie Rankin. He was the seventh of eight children.

Dr. Rankin graduated from Harper High School in 1967 in Mendenhall, MS before attending Prentiss Institute and graduating in 1969. While at Prentiss Institute, he married Dorothy Mikell, affectionately known as “Doris,” on March 2, 1969. Dr. Rankin graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Tougaloo College in May 1971.  After attaining the highest score on the Medical College Admission Test in the state of Mississippi, he was accepted into the third integrated class of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS in 1971.  Dr. Rankin completed a two-year residency in Family Practice at Texas Tech University in Amarillo, TX and then decided to return home to begin practicing medicine, first in Madison, Leake & Yazoo Family Health Center in Canton, MS in 1976 and later opening a private practice in Family Medicine in Jackson, MS circa 1979. An intelligent, compassionate man of humble beginnings, he believed that everyone should be treated like a human being and was entitled to receive adequate health care. Dr. Rankin provided health care services to countless family members, the poor, the underprivileged, and the “have-nots,” finally retiring in 2019 after 43 years of practice.

At an early age, Dr. Rankin joined Mount Zion Hill Baptist Church in Mendenhall, MS.  Later in life, under the influence of Bro. Eddie Gates, Sr.,  he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  Dr. Rankin was a member of Mount Wade Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Clevie Snell.  He was an active member of the church for 28 years, serving as Sunday school teacher, deacon, member of the finance board, and wherever else he was needed. Dr. Rankin lived a full life as a volunteer in the Parchman Penitentiary Prison ministry, an avid and competitive bowler, and a great huntsman who rarely missed deer hunting season (or any other season for that matter). Dr. Earnest Rankin, Sr. held a special place in his heart for his family.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Dorothy Rankin, of 51 ½ years and five children: Dr. Yolanda A.  Rankin (Ellenwood, GA); Earnest Rankin Jr. (Prentiss, MS); Demetria (Evan) Rankin Li (Osaka, Japan); Christa (Antonio) Pittman (Richmond Hill, GA); and Patrick McKinney Rankin (Jackson, MS).  Additionally, he leaves 9 grandchildren: Earnie Boy, Jalen, Caleb, Christy Alexis, Gayla, Oleavia, Valencia, Victoria, and O’Ryan, and 4 great grandchildren.  He also leaves behind two sisters: Jurleen Magee (Detroit, MI) and Mary Rankin (Jackson, MS), a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and one special friend, Carey “Big Bob” Proctor.

Visitation hours will be Friday, September 11, 2020, from 12-7 p.m. at Peoples Funeral Home, located at 886 N. Farish Street - Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at Peoples Funeral Home Chapel, located at 886 N. Farish Street - Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Interment will be Sunday, September 13, 2020, in Prentiss, Mississippi

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