[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 193 (Thursday, November 12, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING DR. EARNEST LEE RANKIN, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 12, 2020

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. 
Earnest Lee Rankin, Sr. who 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.
  Dr. Rankin is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Rankin of Jackson, 
Mississippi; children, Dr. Yolanda A. Rankin, Earnest Rankin, Jr., 
Demetira Rankin, Christa Pittman, and Patrick McKinney Rankin.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. 
Earnest Lee Rankin, Sr.

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