Melvin Lee Rankin, Sr., 60 of Springfield, Missouri passed away on June 9, 2020. He was born on Shreveport, Louisiana on May 29, 1960 to J.W. and Thelma Rankin. Melvin graduated from Arkansas High School and was employed at a meat packing plant. He was united in marriage to Bertha Boswell in Texarkana, Arkansas on May 27, 1988. Melvin was of the Baptist faith and truly loved giving back to others as well as helping those in his community. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing Jazz.
Melvin is preceded in death by his parents, J.W. and Thelma; Linda and David Rankin; Doshiela Rankin; and Roy Brown. He is survived by Bertha Rankin; his children, Melvin Rankin, Jr., James and his wife, April Rankin, Austin and Laesha Rankin and Kaesha; his step-children, Bradly Boswell, Brandy Lafayette, Michael Lafayette; his grandchildren, Ryan, Trey, La’Melo, Angelica, Bradly, Brittany, Honesty, Waylon, Giana, Kasen, Amera, Scared, Keymaya, Isaiah, and September Rain; and his great-grandchildren, Harmony and Christian (C.J.). He is survived by his brother, Alvin and Sherly Rankin; his nieces and nephews, Roy Brown, Gymiski Brown, Trina Brown, Taffy Weekly, Alvin Rankin, David Rankin, and Deborah Rankin; his numerous cousins as well as close friends Charlie Brown, Rodney and Billy Ray.
Services for Melvin will be on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North with a visitation on Thursday, June 22, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00. Burial will follow the services and will be at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.