Ronnie Earl Smith

Ronnie Smith

Early Life

Ronnie Earl Smith was born to Juanita Ellenor Smith and Claudie George Smith Sr. on July 7, 1949 in Peoria, Illinois. Ronnie is 3rd in line amongst his 4 brothers; Claudie, David, and Johnnie and finally Jackie. Ronnie was raised most of his childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, arriving in the 2nd grade. By 3rd grade he and Claudie would often check out tons of books from the library. As an early reader, he developed a love of history. This had a huge impact on his life. He attended Glenville High School and graduated near the top of his class. Ronnie sung in one of the best choirs in America for more than 2 years. He was able to travel to California and even to Europe. A few of his colleagues went on to perform in world renowned operas. He wrestled and played football as a receiver. He was always trying to be moral and had a strong sense of justice. He took off to Drake University in Iowa where he went on to study pre law, biology and ended up going to Dental School at the University of Missouri- Kansas City and got his Doctor of Dental Surgery 1988. He opened his first dental office in 2000 in Springfield MO.

Adult Life

Ronnie found true love when he married Theresa Ann Dillard on November 27th,1986. They met at a Jazz club in Kansas City on 18th Vine. She was a 29 year old lovely who was born and raised in the Show Me State. Ronnie became a father to Theresa's, then, 8 year old son Richard Vaughn Dillard and loved him dearly. They settled down in Lee Summit, MO and welcomed their first beautiful daughter Bree Addis Smith on May 18th 1990. Less than 3 years later their second adorable daughter, Kinsey Alene Smith was born on March 16th 1993 in St. Charles, MO. The couple happily raised their girls in Springfield and Saint Louis, MO. Dentist Kansas City, MO was the beginning, a phone call moved Ron to save a failing office in the rural town of Mt Vernon, MO. During this time Ron got to know many, including individuals who served as Bethelites at the Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses who came for dental treatment. One time a patient started singing a kingdom melody when Ron prompted him to sing a jingle to distract himself from the shot. What a way, to discover your own patient was related to you in the faith! .  Ronnie's strong work ethic, expertise and people skills played a major roll in turning this practice into a booming success. Then he practiced dentistry inside a prison. A highlight in Ron’s secular career was at 4340 Marshall Road in Berkley, Missouri where Ron finally owned and operated his own office. He was the sole doctor and had 6 staff members including his youngest daughter who he proudly and happily taught the basics of dental assisting to. He was known for his generosity and love. All felt special under Ron’s care, patients and staff alike were drawn to his kindness and thus remained loyal to him. He truly enjoyed his work and helping people. Dentistry was an extension of one of Ron's finest natural skills, making people smile! This dream lasted until he retired to Connecticut in 2012.

Christian Life

One evening in 1992, two Jehovah’s Witnesses visited the Smith Family home in response to the urging of Ron's eldest brother, Claudie Smith, way over in Connecticut. Ron had in mind to "save" his brother from what he feared might be a “cult” religion. Ronnie's father was a Baptist preacher who instilled in him a strong love and respect for the Bible. Therefore, when the Witnesses arrived at his door, Ronnie instinctually recalled the words at Matthew 10:11-15. In this passage, while sending his disciples out to preach 2 by 2, Jesus stated: "Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving ... Wherever anyone does not receive you ... I say to you, it will be more endurable for the land of Sodʹom and Go·morʹrah on Judgment Day than for that city." In other words, he figured he'd better let them in...! The initial visit with the Witnesses lasted from 7pm until midnight. Ronnie asked many challenging questions, and the visitors answered them all clearly, using the scriptures. Intrigued by what he was hearing, he immediately thereafter visited the public library to do research on all the things they had discussed. In this way Ronnie proved to himself the Bible truths shared with him on that day. He told his wife Theresa that he believed these people were teaching the truth about the Bible and asked her whether they should continue or stop before they knew "too much". Theresa trusted her husband and willingly supported and joined him on this new spiritual journey. They asked the Witnesses to return and the couple attended the very next meeting at the Kingdom Hall. They began studying the bible with Jehovah's Witnesses on a regular basis. Ronnie and his wife never looked back, dedicating their lives to the pursuit of spiritual things, learning and teaching about Jehovah God and His Kingdom. Ministry As he learned more, Ronnie began zealously preaching to all who would listen to him within his community. Ronnie conducted many bible studies of his own over the course of life, often meeting people in the same way he was found, in the door to door preaching work. His favorite bible students, however, were his own children. Teaching his family was a priority. Not a night went by without Ron reading My Book of Bible Stories with his young girls, often having them act out the stories in a mini-play. Many nights after a long day of work Ronnie was "stoned" by his daughter's bedroom pillows as he played the role of Stephen or ridden on like the donkey that Jehovah caused to talk to Balaam or his girls watched in amazement as he'd shouted the war cry "Jehovah's sword and Gideons!". He taught his girls to memorize song 191 in the spiritual song book, Sing Praises to Jehovah entitled "Make the truth Your Own", encouraging them to grow their own personal relationships with the God he had grown to love, Jehovah. That is exactly what happened. He built a strong spiritual foundation for his entire household. Ironically, in the early stages of their spiritual journey he chose to have his family memorize a key scripture that they now hold onto more firmly than ever; Revelation 21:4 states, "He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." We anxiously await the fulfillment of this promise. Well known for his spirituality, it is often one of the first qualities people mention when speaking of him. Jeff Garcia had a huge impact on Ron. They talked to everyone they ran into. Everyone who appeared in your plain of sight would get to know them and tell them about Jehovah and of course, share a scripture. It was quite enjoyable. Ronnie enjoyed the privilege of serving as a ministerial servant, elder and a pioneer for many years within the Jehovah's Witness Organization and attended many Bible training schools to better fulfill these roles. Ronnie cherished these honors greatly and worked wholeheartedly at it up until the very end he used his strong mind to learn more about the scriptures and his voice to praise his God Jehovah.

Hobbies

Music

For many years Ronnie annually took his family to Branson, MO to see The Platters live. One in particular was memorable, Ronnie took to the stage with the band as a guest and added his smooth vocals to “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”. His family cheered him on from the audience as he did his 2 step right on off the stage. He did love him some motown. If you were inside the Smith home you were likely to hear Ronnie singing and dancing to songs by the Temptations, Platters or OJs as he went about his day… eventually you might also hear a member of his family ask him " take a break" as his musical genius was not always given it's rightful praise from those of us who were graced with it non-stop! Motown and Doo Wop were the genre's nearest to his heart but he honestly, loved them all.

Games

Ronnie loved a good game of strategy where he could put his strong intellect to work. You might often find him playing pool or chess with his friends and he taught his daughters to play for times when friends weren't available. As a family their favorite game was a game of 2 on 2 Sequence with his wife and daughters. Pool was his game. He was so good at it, he could beat the local pool shark in most small towns. Ron was a sports man enjoying the Cleveland Browns and especially the Cavaliers. He became avid once Lebron James came along. He was enthused to see Cleveland teams make exciting advances in the last years of his life. If him and his brother Claudie weren't discussing Jehovah it was often how their hometown teams were performing but more so about history! The development of Christianity was a hot topic.

Food

Salmon croquettes were one of his favorites, prepared by Theresa’s industrious hands, of course. But ask anyone and they can likely tell you that there wasn't much Ronnie didn't enjoy eating! Hot tamales, Dots, hot wings, oatmeal, steak, super spicy foods, soul food, you name it! One time at a Thai restaurant he asked for what they were eating in the “back”. That almost took his breath away- but he played it off. In New Haven he loved fried okra from D’amatos. You should try it! We know that he will thoroughly enjoy being able to fully enjoy the perfect food Jehovah will provide when he receives a resurrection to the promised paradise.