Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

March 10, 2024

Dr. R. Pinkney Rankin, Jr., 98, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Pinkney was born on December 19, 1925, in Gastonia, NC, son of the late R. Pinkney Rankin and Jessie Gray Boggs Rankin.

Following graduation from Woodberry Forest School in 1943, Pinkney served in the United States Navy in World War II, after which he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi social fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa honorary scholastic fraternity, and the Order of the Gimghoul.

He received his MD degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1952 and completed four years of postgraduate residency training in Obstetrics-Gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1956.

He practiced Obstetrics-Gynecology in Charlotte from 1956 until official retirement in 1999, after a career of 43 years.

Pinkney was a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics-Gynecology and a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He was an active member and past president of the NC Obstetric and Gynecologic Society, who recognized him in 2011 with a Distinguished Service Award. He was also a member of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Robert A. Ross Society, and other professional organizations.

He became the first full-time Director of Residency Training in Obstetrics-Gynecology at Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte Memorial Hospital) from 1969 through 1972 in conjunction with training medical students from UNC-Chapel Hill. He was appointed Clinical Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill and continued active surgical teaching of Residents and students at Carolinas Medical Center until retirement.

Pinkney also chaired the Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology at Presbyterian Hospital, and he was President of the medical staff there in 1979-1980.

Pinkney and his family were longstanding active members of Christ Episcopal Church, where he had the privilege of serving on the Vestry and as Senior Warden on more than one occasion.

During retirement, he served three terms on the Board of Southminster Retirement Community. He enjoyed volunteering at the gynecologic section of The Charlotte Community Health Clinic for the uninsured.

He was a member of the Charlotte Country Club and the Blowing Rock Country Club for many years and served on the Board of Governors for each.

When time permitted, he loved golf, fly fishing, and reading (especially Southern fiction); and he enjoyed the privilege of reviewing literature with a number of local book clubs, many of whose members he counted as mentors, teachers, patients, and friends.

Music was a passion, with his tastes ranging from classical to bluegrass. Pinkney played piano, guitar, and five-string banjo at one time. At Southminster Retirement Community he had a special group of friends with whom he frequently gathered to make music.

Blowing Rock, NC was his special place; he and his wife Jo enjoyed many happy times there over the years at their cottage on “Rankin Hill.”

Most of all, he enjoyed spending quality time with his friends and relatives. He was eternally grateful to be blessed with a large, loving extended family.

The Rankin family is appreciative of the remarkable support from the staff of Southminster, Embrace Care, and Via Health Partners, and would like to recognize in particular Laresha Wayman, Jackie Black, and Kaya Lee-Herron.

Pinkney is survived by his wife of 74 years, the former Josephine Erwin Powe of Durham, NC. He was predeceased by his daughter Caroline Gray Rankin McKechnie.

A service to celebrate Pinkney’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte. A reception will be held immediately following the service in the Blue Room.         

Memorial gifts may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28207) or the Southminster Foundation, 8919 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28210.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.