Albert Rankin Fowlkes, Sr.

Albert Rankin Fowlkes, 93, of Dyersburg, died peacefully Monday, September 23, 2024. Albert was born in Tiptonville, Tennessee on October 14, 1930, to Doc and Eveleen Fowlkes. His mother died when he was two years old and he and his older brother, Doc Jr., were raised by loving aunts and uncles and his beloved, Dada.

He graduated from Dyersburg High School in 1948 and co-oped at the Cotton Mill (Dyersburg Fabrics) during his college years at Murray State and Georgia Tech, while earning a degree in textile engineering. After serving in the Navy during the Korean war, he returned to Dyersburg where he married Kay Keller in 1961. They raised 3 children and were married for 63 years.

He spent his 47-year career at Dyersburg Fabrics and eventually became the VP of Operations. He thoroughly enjoyed his work and especially the people with whom he worked….all 1200 of them.

A life-long member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he served as an elder, choir member, Sunday school teacher and, for years, a volunteer on the annual youth choir trip. A faithful Gideon for 50 years, you could find him many Saturday mornings at the Holiday Inn praying with other Gideons. Delivering bibles to hospitals and schools and sharing God’s Word was one of his greatest joys. At age 50, he helped found and lead the formation of Young Life in Dyersburg. His excitement for the Gospel was contagious and countless teenagers were impacted by this ministry.

He was a remarkable man of faith and his love for Jesus was felt by everyone he encountered. An active member of Kiwanis Club, where this year, the annual Pancake Day was named in his honor. He was a school board member, Little League baseball coach, community theater actor, Scout Master, Key Club sponsor, Salvation Army volunteer, Red Coat volunteer, Union Mission Board member, Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year” in 1995, founding member of the Dyersburg YMCA, and inducted into the inaugural Dyersburg High School Hall of Fame. He was always mindful of the debt he owed to his community, who helped form him into the man he became.

Albert’s life of service was in response to his salvation in Jesus Christ and the joy of knowing Him. His passing will leave a tremendous void in the hearts of his family and friends and the community in which he loved and served.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Kay Keller Fowlkes, of Dyersburg; daughter, Mary Latta Fowlkes Brown (Bob) of Brentwood, TN; son, Rankin Fowlkes (Elizabeth) of Memphis, TN; daughter, Anne Fowlkes Walker (Scott) of Memphis, TN; nine grandchildren, whose greatest inheritance will be their Papa’s faith, Robert Brown (Carolyne), Mary Eveleen Brown, Anne Florence Brown, Will Walker (Allison), Margaret Walker Collins (Ben), Sally Walker, Sam Fowlkes, Tom Fowlkes, Katherine Keller; great-granddaughter, Ruthie Brown; and brother-in-law, Dayton Keller (Patricia).

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2024, in the sanctuary of Dyersburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The family will receive visitors from 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Dyersburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Walt Bradshaw, John Cloar, David Pierce, Milton Magee, Pierce White, Tim Ozment, John Ford, Frank Pierce, Hugh Todd, Al Guthrie and Baird Lewis will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will the Elders and Deacons of Dyersburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Gideons, Mike Gauldin, Jim Nevel and Rick Leo.

The family requests memorials be directed to Dyersburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 2280 Parr Avenue, Dyersburg, TN 38024; Dyersburg-Dyer County Union Mission, 213 West Cedar Street, Dyersburg, TN 38024; Dyersburg Salvation Army, 318 West Market Street, Dyersburg, TN 38024; Young Life Memphis in memory of Brad Baker, 658 Colonial Road, Memphis, TN 38117.

Funeral services are under the direction of Curry Funeral Home. We are privileged and honored to serve the Fowlkes family. You may share your condolences and your memories with the family at www.curryfuneral.com.