Ronnie Douglas Mays of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, August 4, 2021 in Little Rock, Arkansas surrounded by loved ones. Ronnie was born October 7, 1952 in Mena, Arkansas to Bob D. Mays and Needa Faye (House) Mays. He was 68 years 9 months and 28 days old.
Ronnie began school in Boles, Arkansas. In the early 1960’s the family moved to Littlefield, Texas and then to Portales, New Mexico where Ronnie spent most of his childhood days. While living there Ronnie would hang around at the collage baseball field and after a while, they started letting him play with them. There he learned a lot about pitching.
In 1969, the family moved back to Arkansas. Ronnie finished his school in Waldron and graduated with the class of 1970. He was active in several clubs and was a class officer his sophomore year. He also ran track and played wide receiver for the Waldron Bulldogs. Following graduation, he attended vocational training and received his Auto Mechanics license.
Ronnie, or as his brother Bobby would call him, “Duck”, enjoyed drag racing, dirt bike riding, and playing baseball. He played American Legion baseball for Mena and Waldron and even tried out for the Kansas City Royals. He made the first cut to move up, but he didn’t want to move. He played for a lot of different teams and was positioned as third baseman and pitcher. He was known for how hard he could throw the ball and how far he could hit the ball.
Ronnie was a very hard worker and had several different jobs to which he was very dedicated. He served in the US Army and then in the National Guard.
In 1977 Ronnie became the proud father of his first child, a son, Thomas. In April of 1989 he married Phyllis and gained a daughter, Phylisa. In 1991 Ronnie and Phyllis welcomed a daughter of their own, which they named Sarah.
Ronnie obtained his pilot license and for several years enjoyed flying his private airplane with his family and friends. Many locals have special memories of flying with Ronnie.
Ronnie enjoyed many things including, fishing with his grandkids, working on vehicles, sitting on his porch looking over his pastures and just being outside. His greatest love was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was always looking for a way to do something to help his family.
Ronnie leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 32 years, Phyllis Mays of the home, his children: Phylisa Millard and husband Michael of Waldron, Arkansas, Sarah Catlett and husband Brandon of Conway, Arkansas, and Thomas Mays and wife Dayna of Waldron, Arkansas and one sister, Dyiana Kane and husband Matt of Waldron, Arkansas. Grandad will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Brayden, Cody, Logan, Kaylee, Paxton, Kaylynn, Liam, Autumn, Elizabeth and Claire. Uncle Ronnie also leaves a legacy with his nieces and nephews, Douglas, Crystal, Kerstein and Hunter. Ronnie will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of extended family, friends, neighbors and loved ones dear to his heart.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Needa Mays, one brother Bobby Mays, one sister Sharon Faye Mays, one grandson Memphis Kade Mays and one nephew Little B.D. Mays.
Ronnie’s life celebration will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 9, 2021 at the Waldron Pentecostal Church of God in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Rickey Hunt and Rev. Pat Ray Biggs officiating. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.
