Ronnie Shirley

To plant a seed in one’s heart…to root it in love…

To nourish it with time spent together…

Yields a blossom that will flourish forever.

Ronnie Allen Shirley was born on August 27, 1951, to his parents, Wilnor Jean Maclin and Cless Leon Shirley in Brownville, Tennessee. At a very young age, Ronnie moved to East St. Louis, Illinois with his mother, Wilnor J. Mitchell and his brother, Quentin M. Mitchell.  Wilnor separated from her husband and was blessed with the birth of her children, Bonita E. Maclin, Everett Mitchell, Phillip Q. Emerson and Gloria B. Emerson.

Growing up, Ronnie was faced with many challenges that would prevent him from participating with many activities. Through all of this however, he attended Franklin Special Needs Elementary and would continue his education to trade school at Morrison Trade School.  Ronnie was avid in his faith, and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in St. Louis, Illinois, where he served for many years. After his mother, Wilnor passed away on October 17, 1987, Ronnie went on to live with his brother, Everett, sister, Gloria, and her daughter, Tanjalek. He stayed with them until he moved to Denver in 1989. He would then join his sister Bonita, her daughter Tamara, and son Quinten. Shortly thereafter, Ronnie became a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Denver. Ronnie was blessed with an apartment in the late 1990’s and would live there with his sister Gloria until his passing.

During his free time, Ronnie read the Bible, listened to gospel music, and watched sporting events on TV, especially the hometown Denver Broncos. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family.  To know Ronnie was to love him. He treated his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children. He will be best remembered by his family and friends for his devotion to God, his beautiful hair, his quiet attentive behavior, personality, and respect for all.  To know Ronnie was to love him.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Wilnor Jean Maclin and Cless Leon Shirley; and brother, Quinten M. Mitchell. Ronnie Allen Shirley departed this life to the Lord’s embrace on June 12, 2021. Those left to cherish his memory include his siblings, Bonita E. McDaniel, Everett Mitchell, Phillip Q. Emerson, and Gloria B. Emerson; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.