VIDALIA— Services for Charles Edward Rankin, who went home to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, April 4, 2008, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, at Calvary Baptist Church, Vidalia with Pastor Ron Ledford and Pastor Tim Weems of Laurel, officiating.
Burial will follow at the Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home Union Street Chapel and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church.
Mr. Rankin was born Jan. 10, 1925, in Oak Grove, the son of Charles Wesley and Flora Arlene Ross Rankin.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy in World War II, serving aboard a ship in the Pacific Theater.
He is remembered by his friends and for his good service in his Texaco Service Station in Vidalia, where he retired from in 2003, for almost half of a century.
He faithfully attended Calvary Baptist Church until he was no longer able to walk.
Charles was born again in 1973, and quietly and sincerely loved and served his Lord.
His faith and commitment to his Savior guided his life for the last 34 years.
Mr. Rankin was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Evelyn Trawick Rankin; one daughter, Charla Rankin; and a brother, Harold Rankin.
He is survived by his wife, Gwen Gayle Johnson Rankin; one daughter, Rebecca Clay and husband; one son, Steve Rankin; two stepsons, Stephen Johnson, and his wife, and Timothy Johnson and his wife; two stepdaughters, Katherine Irving and her husband, and Angela Underwood and her husband; his brother, James Alford Rankin and his wife; five grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a number of nieces, nephews and friends.
His family wishes to thank Dr. Jerry Iles and his staff at the Community Hospice of America, Natchez, especially RN Ann Cobb and CNA Kendra Isaac.
The family is also grateful to Pastor Ron Ledford and the church family at Calvary Baptist Church.
The family also thanks Alline Watkins for her care of Mr. Rankin.
Pallbearers will be Don Whitley, William Galmore, Oliver Jackson, Brian Maier, Marc Schantz and Rodney Noble.
Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Floyd, R.V. Mize, Aaron “Jack” Middleton and the men of the Sunday school senior adult class.