Ronnie Lovelady, 68 of Hazen, went to be with the Lord, Friday, March 25, at his home north of Hazen. the son of the late Mayo Garfield Lovelady and the late Lois Mayfield Lovelady, Ronnie was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1954. The youngest of three children, he loved following his sisters around, aggravating, tormenting and playing tricks on them. His sister, Sherry called him "tough little banty rooster". While in high school, he excelled at baseball and cross country track.  After graduation from Westwood High School in Memphis, Ronnie entered the US Marine Corps.

When he was released from military duty, Ronnie returned to the area and began working for the Process & Power Co., at Wightsville, as an inside salesman. He remained there for 38 years before his retirement.

Over the years, Ronnie remained active in sports, coaching and umpiring boys baseball from the Babe Ruth teams up to the 16 year old's.  He loved to fish for anything that would bite, collected all types of ducks (even though he never duck hunted), liked to play "Phase 10" card games with his family, watch the grandkids play ball, play the board game aggravation, and take trips to Branson to see the shows, especially the Presley's.

While coaching one particular baseball team, he met and fell in love with one of the boys mothers. Renae Rye and Ronnie were united in marriage on March 31, 1997 at Lonoke, AR. In August of 2006, Ronnie gave his life to the Lord and became a faithful member of the Missionary Baptist Church. In the past he served as the youth leader and a moderator. At the present time he was a member of the Greenwood Missionary Baptist Church at Butlerville.

Survivors are his wife Renae; sons, Matthew Lovelady of Arizona, Brandon Hasley and wife Brandi of Beebe; Daughter, Monica Lovelady of Mississippi and Jennifer & husband Jason of Alabama; Sister, Carol Chunn and Sherry Curtsinger both of Greers Ferry; 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild who loving refer to Ronnie as "papaw" and his precious chihuahua dog, "Bobo". He was preceded in death by his parents, & son, Ronnie Jason Lovelady.

Visitation will be 5-7pm, Sunday evening, at Garth Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Monday at the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with Bro. Greg Tenison officiating. Burial with military honors will be held at Walter's Chapel Cemetery north of Carlisle.