Ronald N. Williams Sr.

Ronald Nelson Williams, Sr. began his earthly life on July 29, 1943 in Dayton, Ohio, born to the late Nelson Frank Williams and Claronia Williams. Ronald joined his parents, two sisters, Denise & Zandra Williams, and the love of his life, Gladys Lee Coleman Williams in his heavenly transition on December 21, 2020. Ronald’s life journey was 77 years long, although everyone who encountered him knew him to be the “tender age” of 22.

Ronald accepted Jesus Christ as his savior at a very early age at Mt. Enon Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio. He, in later years, joined in fellowship with the Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the United Methodist Men. In 2012, Ronald and family transferred their membership to John Wesley United Methodist Church. He was active and faithfully served on the following ministries: Breakfast, Ushers, United Methodist Men, Trustees, and Bereavement.

Ronald received his education in the Dayton, Ohio, Public School System. After high school graduation, he attended Tennessee State University. Anyone who knew Ronald knew that he did not like the cold, so he accepted an athletic scholarship to TSU to escape the cold weather up north. Little did he know that it got cold down south in Tennessee. While at TSU, Ronald played sports, met the love of his life (Gladys), and pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Ronald retired from the State of Tennessee Department of Correction after 40 years of service and Vanderbilt Medical Hospital after 43 years of service.

On July 8, 1967, Ronald married the love of his life, Gladys Lee Coleman Williams, with whom he shared 47 years of marriage and memories until her heavenly transition on July 20, 2014. Their union was blessed with two children, Kara Elaine Williams and Ronald Nelson Williams, Jr. While Ronald and Gladys were biological parents to two children, they nurtured and cared for many other children in the community.

Left to cherish many memories of Ronald are his devoted children: Kara E. Williams (Rueben), and Ronald Nelson Williams, Jr. (Pamela); 5 grandsons, Larry Barnhill, Jr., LaRon C. Williams, Steven L. Nelson (Elette), Terrell P. and Jerrell M. Nelson; 4 great-grandchildren, Ariana Nelson, Ce’Ana Nelson, Cey’Mora Hinton, and Ja’Quez Hinton; sister, Yvonne “Bonnie” Thomas, Dayton, Ohio; brother-in-law, Reverend Lawrence C. Coleman, Jr. (Fannie); best-friend since childhood, John Henderson, Plymouth, Minnesota; devoted special friend, Semetta Coure; “Play Children”, Chris, Mia, & Monica Sims, Angela Farrell, Sherice Cotton, and LaTonya Thomas; “Play Granddaughters”, Victoria Harris and Edricka Carney; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends, & church members; co-workers & residents of the Davidson County Drug Court (DC4).

DUE TO COVID-19, A FACE MASK IS RFEQUIRED, UPON ENTRY OF THE FUNERAL HOME, TEMPERATURES WILL BE CHECKED AND PLEASE KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE IN MIND AT ALL TIMES.