After a valiant struggle with cancer, Ronald Vance Cherry, 75, of Middletown, RI, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on April 3rd, 2018 in East Providence, RI.
Ronald was born on May 9, 1942 in Tampa, Florida. He was a bright, precocious child. At the age of three years old, he could read. At that early age, he could also recite all of the 66 books of the Bible. He graduated from Howard W. Blake High School, in Tampa, FL in 1960. He earned a Bachelor of Mathematics from Tuskegee Institute, in Tuskegee Institute, AL; a Bachelor of Business Administration from Salve Regina University, in Newport, RI; and a Master's Degree in Mathematics from Southeastern Massachusetts University, in North Dartmouth, MA. Despite the many obstacles he faced (poverty, segregation, racism, etc.), Ronald never relented in pursuing educational excellence and achievement.
Ronald served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army (Artillery) during the Vietnam Era. After retiring from the Army, he worked as a Mathematician and Systems Analyst for the Federal Government at the Naval Underwater Systems Center (NUSC), now Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), in Newport, RI. He volunteered in his community as a human and civil rights activist and was a long time President of the Newport County (RI) Branch of the NAACP, serving in that position for more than for eight years.
Ronald is survived by his wife, Dr. Shirley (Pitts) Cherry and their three children, Sharla (David) Quintanilla, Bruce Cherry, and Ronda (Darren) Smoke; two children from a previous marriage, Donna (Sam) Washington & Ronald J. "Ronnie" (Sophia) Cherry; a brother, Don Cherry and a sister, Hannah Patricia "Pat" Cherry-Johnson & Pat's husband William; a great aunt Rosa Lee "Monk" Marshall (105 years old); 15 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie Lee "Mama Freddie" Cherry-Wilder and William Cherry; a devoted stepfather, Manuel Clifford "MC" Wilder, Sr.; his beloved grandmother, Pearlie Mae "Bubba" Butler; and his brother, Manuel "Junior" Wilder, Jr.
Ronald was an energetic and tenacious person who enjoyed watching and participating in sporting events. He also enjoyed discussing politics and current events. He had a lively and infectious sense of humor. He loved his family and made frequent "MARATHON" road trips from Rhode Island to visit his beloved grandchildren, family, and friends in Maryland, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
During his struggle with cancer, Ronald made Peace with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and he readily discussed that Peace with family members. Even though he accepted Christ at an early age, he re-dedicated his life to God on August 20, 2017, at Community Baptist Church in Newport, RI, and received the Right Hand of Fellowship on September 3, 2017. He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Going Home Services for Ronald will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Darby Funeral Home; 480 East Main Street; Canton, GA 30114. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Graveside services with full military honors will be held at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, GA 30114, on April 12, 2018 at 2:30 p.m.