REIDSVILLE - Mr. Robert Lee Rankin, age 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at Moses Cone Hospital.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the home of his niece, Marva and Michael Ware, 446 W. Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC.

A memorial service will be held Friday, October 18, 2024 at 2 p.m. at McLaurin-Harris Memorial Chapel, 721 East Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC. The family visitation will begin at 1:45 p.m. with Pastor Emeritus Dr. Clarence Johnson, presiding and Minister George Gunn, eulogist.

Inurnment will follow in Elm Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

You may live stream the service via https://www.youtube.com/@McLaurin-Harris_Live

The entire service will also be posted on the McLaurin-Harris Funeral Home Facebook page.

Robert Lee Rankin was born to late Rufus D. Rankin, Sr., and Cardella Bolden Rankin on February 28, 1940 in Rockingham County, NC.

Robert attended and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, class of 1958.

Robert worked as a brick mason for George and Johnnie Foster until he retired.

Robert was also a great lover of all types of music. He taught himself to play the lead guitar by ear. He joined "The Continentals Band" and traveled around the county with David Lawson as the singer and Robert playing the guitar. Once he stopped, he still practiced the guitar everyday until he developed a tremor and could no longer play.

He was a member of Elm Grove Baptist Church.

He was a good hardworking man who loved his family. He loved working in his yard; the grass had to be cut just right! He also loved to plant flowers in the yard to make it look good for his mother. He enjoyed gardening and shared his produce, even picking them at no charge and provided them to his mothers friends at the church.

Robert is survived by one sister, Sherron Rankin of the home; one godson, Michael Anthony Bolden (Tony); nieces, Marva Ware (Michael) and Dominique Lambeth; special cousin, George Rankin "Bill"; a host of relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus D. Rankin, Sr., and Cardella Bolden Rankin; brother, Rufus D. Rankin, Jr.; sister Lucelia Lambeth.

Service by McLaurin-Harris