This is the story of Ronny Dean Cantrell, who passed away February 11, 2025, at his residence, surrounded by his family. Ronny was an awesome man who was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Ronny was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, father-in-law, business owner, friend, fisherman, and most importantly, a faithful Christ follower.
Ronny's story started on June 19, 1944, the seventh child of eight to Oscar and Delores Cantrell born in Ocilla, GA. The only one of the eight children born in the hospital, not at home. He grew up on the farm in Irwinville in a hardworking farming household. He was named Ronnie but always spelled his name Ronny instead.
As a young child, Ronny was a mischievous little one. His mother Delores said she had to let the Lord watch over Ronny as she could not keep track of him. Young Ronny experienced a few funny childhood stories. Once, when he was about 3, Ronny found a few coins and decided he needed a pack of gum. Ronny rode his tricycle miles into town, bought his gum, and rode back without anyone knowing. Mr. and Mrs. Cantrell thought the other had him and only found out about the trip later that evening when they found him smacking on the gum. He was a clever one as well. As a preteen, he won a national contest as he was able to come up with a unique pony name. He came up with the name "Comealong" and won the contest. The prize was the pony. As a young teenager, he and his friend were passing the time trying to kill rats at the edge of a field. They found a large rat's nose poking out of a hole that they had to dig to get it out. They were successful at getting the "rat" but it was not the normal brown color as it had black and white fur with a fuzzy tail. When he got home, Mrs. Delores said she smelled Ronny before she saw him. Turns out one should leave the black and white "rats" alone. As a high schooler, Ronny and his best friend discovered they could make extra money by "cooking" and selling their product. All was going well as Ronny was a good cook until his friend's dad found the operation, tore it up, and made them feed the mash to the hogs which allowed quite a site of unrestrained swine merrymaking.
Despite the fun stories, as time passed, Ronny had to step up to the task as his father suffered from illness. Ronny's brothers were much older and out of the house which required Ronny to help his dad with the farm. Not only did he work in the fields, as he was able to crop a row of tobacco faster than anyone, Ronny had to help manage things. Ronny was always a hard worker and took on many duties that were far beyond his age. At the age of 14, before and after school, he would have to pick up, take home, and manage the farm hands. At times, education had to take a back seat to work. As Ronny would joke about his schooling, "I stayed in second grade 3 years...didn't want to embarrass my dad as he was in the third grade and I didn't want to pass him."
Ronny graduated from Irwin County High School where he was active in Football, Baseball, Track, Basketball and FFA. His senior quote was fitting as it fit his daily life outlook, "It's the pleasant words and the smile you wear, that makes the sun shine everywhere." While in school, Ronny met the love of his life, Mary Frances Royal which may have been the inspiration for the quote. They had a whirlwind romance and were married on February 9, 1964. Shortly after marriage, they moved to Jacksonville, FL. where Ronny worked as a trucking industry clerk and was in the Reserves. After a couple of years, Ronny was hired at Norfolk Southern as a RailRoad detective and moved to New Orleans. The family then moved to Alexandria, VA where Ronny advanced his Railroad career. In 1977, Ronny, Mary Frances, Tonya, and Brandon moved back to Fitzgerald where they bought their current home on McKinley Ave. overlooking the pond. Ronny and Mary Frances purchased a local convenience store R&M Grocery and spent many years in the convenience store business as they raised their family. The family joined Arbor Baptist Church and Ronny attended for almost 50 years. They eventually bought Floyd's, the best little place to eat in Fitzgerald. Tonya continues to run the business. Over the years, Ronny was in Kiwanis, coached sports, played softball, and was in multiple community activities.
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe." Though Ronny was always the friendly southern gentleman, he was an ardent protector of his friends and family. One thing about Ronny that most people didn't know, is that he was a Ju Jitsu brown belt and was an expert level marksman in the Reserves. Mary Frances, Tonya, and Brandon always felt completely protected as they lived and developed. Once, Ronny was the victim of an armed robbery by three perpetrators. After the robbery, Ronny armed himself, ran out the back door, chased one of the suspects, apprehended him and successfully brought the three to justice. One could say that he was the kind of person that should have worn a cape.
Ronny absolutely adored the love of his life Mary Frances. A story book love story that started in high school as childhood sweethearts that led to a happy marriage of sixty years. Ronny was a perfect gentleman for Mary Frances and always tried to keep their relationship playful and sunny. Mary Frances told a story that she was looking in the mirror one day after a few years of marraige and a few additional pounds. Mary Frances said, "I'm as broad as the side of a barn." Ronny replied "but a freshly painted one." Ronny was just in time for he and Mary Frances to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Ronny had an engaging personality and never met a stranger as he had a tremendous sense of humor and always had a joke for the occasion. He enjoyed entertaining everyone, especially the kids at Floyd's with Shadow, his invisible leashed dog. Other than his family and the Lord, Ronny's passion was fishing. He loved to fish all over the state with family, friends, and especially his cherished friends in the Fitzgerald Bass Club. Fishing was always an adventure into the unknown as that big fish was just around the upcoming dock, the next stump, or caught with just one more cast. Among other fishing challenges, he enjoyed trying to outweigh his coanglers and surely would have gotten the big fish if his boat had cooperated or if the wind didn't blow so hard. He especially enjoyed watching the kid's fishing successes and would encourage "catch one for me."
Ultimately, Ronny had a long fruitful life and made an eternal difference in the lives of the people around him. A fruitful life results in others coming to trust in Jesus and follow him because of one's influence and example. That's the kind of fruit that will last forever. Amen Ronny, thank you for being you. We love you and until we meet again, "keep your dripper dry."
Loved ones that cleared the path for Ronny are his father Oscar Harvey Cantrell, mother Delores King Cantrell, his sister Myrtice Cantrell Walters, his brothers Clyde Cantrell, Tillman (Tim) Cantrell, Melvin Cantrell, Oscar Cantrell, and Merlin Cantrell. Loved ones that will miss Ronny until they meet again are his daughter Tonya Jowers; his son and daughter-in-law Brandon and Lisa Cantrell; and his grandchildren Adam Richardson, Mary Lee Jowers, Gavin Cantrell, and Jacob (Jake) Cantrell; his sister Judy Cantrell. He had a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 2:00, at Arbor Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, GA with Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Interment will follow in the Whitley Cemetery, Irwin County. The family will receive friends an hour prior to services in the Arbor sanctuary.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.