Ronald Lawayne McBride's Obituary
Ronald L. McBride, affectionately known as The Real Ronnie McBride, age 69, peacefully transitioned from this earthly life to his heavenly home on Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Dallas, Texas, after battling a brief illness. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1955, he was the son of Eloise and Luther McBride, Jr. He was a musician who loved to play and sing. Ronnie graduated from Mills High School in 1972, where he excelled in the band and choir, earning a band scholarship to Langston University. Four significant influences shaped Ronnie's life. First, during a church revival, he embraced Christ as his savior at a young age. Second, his beloved mother's musical inspiration ignited his passion for music. Third, his time at Beebe Chapel CME in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he served as a youth choir musician, further fueled his passion. Finally, his voice and skillful hands, which danced across the piano keys, became a powerful conduit for expressing his faith and connecting with others through the art of music. In 1999, he married his wife, Gwen, and they were members of Friendship Baptist Church of The Colony, where Rev. Gregory C. Trotter serves as the pastor.
Ronnie had many notable musical achievements; he was the keyboard player for Stevie Wonder-produced Majik Rainbow and toured with James and Bobby Purify and the legendary G.G. Shinn. Ronnie shared the stage with music icons such as Bill Withers, B.B. King, James Brown, The Stylistics, The Spinners, Tower of Power's Lenny Williams, Hank Williams Jr, Fats Domino, Etta James, and Confunkshun. Ronnie was an outdoors enthusiast, a true professional who loved to travel, and a loyal football fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks and Dallas Cowboys.
The passing of his beloved parents preceded Ronnie's earthly journey, Mr. and Mrs. Luther McBride, Jr., his son Sedrick McBride, and his granddaughter Ashleigh McBride. Ronnie McBride, a man of many talents, leaves behind a cherished legacy. He is survived by his devoted wife, Gwendolyn McBride, and three sons—Justin (Viktoria) McBride (Staunton, VA), Taron (Camille) Phillips (Little Rock, AR), and Christopher Hicks (Memphis, TN). Eight grandchildren—Jehnoah McBride (Fort Worth, TX), Cieara Phillips (Little Rock, AR), Akira Phillips and Aniaya Bohannon (Snellville, GA), Sheldon "His Wingman" McBride (Garland, TX), Eloise Leigh McBride (Staunton, VA), Brianna Partee and Erin King (Memphis, TN)., Ronnie's impact reached far and wide, touching the lives of cherished family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. The memory and music of 'The Real Ronnie McBride' compose a symphony, a harmonious blend of faith, family, friendship, love, and timeless memories. These notes will forever resonate in our hearts.
In memory of Ronnie McBride, in lieu of flowers, please consider supporting V's Heart (www.vsheart.org), a non-profit organization that the McBride family supports.
For Family and friends Traveling, Below are suggested Hotels.
Suggested hotels in Texas:
o Hampton Inn By Hilton & Suites Dallas/The Colony, TX
3650 Plano Parkway, The Colony, TX, 75056
o Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre
5410 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX, 75240
Suggested hotels in Arkansas:
o AC Hotel Little Rock Downtown
201 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR, 72201
o Hilton Garden Inn Little Rock Downtown
322 Rock St, Little Rock, AR 72202
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