P.F.C. Prentice L. Lewis-Rankin
PRENTICE LETROY LEWIS-RANKIN, affectionately known as “Troy” was born July 7, 1998 in Brewton, Alabama to Kimberly Lewis and the late Michael Williams. Troy attended Brewton City Schools from kindergarten through sixth grade, and then went on to become a proud W.S. Neal Eagle from seventh grade to complete graduation in 2016.
Troy was an average boy wanting to be as active as much as he could be engaging in sports, starting at the age of 10 in baseball with the YMCA; just starting out Troy excelled fairly well…even ran out of his shoes a time or two!! Troy then started Basketball with the youth leagues and then moved onto High School and became a Star player! Lastly, football Troy being the compassionate, humble young man having friends that attend the rival school did not want to break any hearts but still had to handle business when it came to Friday night business. His Senior Year, Troy made the winning touchdown that claimed the victory for his team in the Battle of Murder Creek and that was one of his greatest accomplishments to date.
Troy was an exceptional young man who was raised to respect and appreciate everything that anyone did for him…he added his own twist by doing so with such a sweet smile! He was such a happy person!! He tried to put a smile on everyone’s face! He had a way of turning what was the worst thing ever into something good!
After graduation, Troy attended Costal Alabama College. Later was employed with Popeye’s and ServPro. Neither of those was the paths that he wanted…he decided he wanted to follow in the steps of his beloved grandfather, SPC Roger Lewis and Uncle, SFC Philip Lewis, and joined the Army. January 2, 2018 Troy departed to Columbus for Basic Training, through its rigorous drilling Troy completed and graduated. After completion of AIT school, Troy was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska at Fort Wainwright Army Base.
While stationed at Fort Wainwright, Troy was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division where he was an exceptional Trooper, amazing friend and teammate to the Blackhawk Squadron.
Troy will always be membered for his lovable personality, hardworking, helpful ways, generosity, extreme kindness, respect, and most importantly his good-natured smile and breath-taking dimples that could light up the darkest room.
Troy leaves to cherish his lovable, yet un-forgettable memories his loving, devoted mother and best friend, Kimberly Lewis; loving grandparents, Roger and Alene Lewis; grandmother, Evelyn Daniels; one uncle, whom also resembled a role of a father, Philip (Lena) Lewis; two uncles, whom resembled the roles of big brothers, Roderick and Garrick (Angelique) Lewis uncles, Tlarence (Keela) and Dempsey (Tonya) Daniels; aunt, Ericka Daniels; his beloved little “Bubba” whom he absolutely adored, A’Mari Jayce Lewis-Benjamin; other siblings, Hillary Boyd, India (Vincent) Smith, Monte’ Morris, Mekhia Williams, Michael Smith, Aderius Smith and T' Landria Williams and a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.
The family of PFC Prentice LeTroy Lewis-Rankin is profoundly and entirely grateful for every act of love and kindness shown to us during this most difficult time; may God’s love continue to embrace each of you. A sincere thanks to each and every one of you. Special Thanks are extended to Fort Wainwright Army Base Personnel Fairbanks, Alaska, SGT Carlos Hernandez, SGT Jarred Jackson, Commander Aaron Mock, and NCO JC Wheeler; Medical Staff of Mat-Su Regional Medical Palmer, Alaska.