Ronald Lee Nance

August 12, 1951 - April 10, 2019

Celebration of a life well lived, Ronald “Ronnie” Lee Nance; sunrise: August 12, 1951—sunset: April 10, 2019. Ronald Lee Nance was lovingly placed in the arms of Bille Sue (Chambliss) and Allen Franklin Nance in Bearden, Arkansas on August 12, 1951. His welcoming committee in Paradise on April 10, 2019 consisted of: The love of his life Marilyn Sue Jeffers Nance; grandparents Papa Doug Chambliss, Annie Yeager Chambliss, Papa Raymond Nance, Mama Lena Nance; infant sister Rebekah Nance; brother and best friend Ricky Nance; sons Duke and Dan Coats; granddaughters, Kimberly Coats and Hayleigh Jade Evans, sisters-in-law Charlotte Howard and Sandra Dison; along with a pack of good for nothing dogs with the most memorable being named “Nuisance”. Left to honor Ronnie’s legacy are his loving parents Allen and Billie Sue Nance; sister Vicki Carol Hopkins (Randy); brother Randy Nance (Deborah); sister-in-law, Susan Nance; brother-in-law Ken Humphrey (Karen), brother-in-law Dewey Humphrey (Tammy), sister-in-law, Sue (Humphrey) Farmer (Bill), sister-in-law Kathy (Humphrey) Lewis (Allen), sister-in-law Joyce (Humphrey) Stinnett. He was a loving Dad and Pops to: Veronica (Nance) Bailey (Rusty), Ronald Douglas Nance (Misty), Michelle Golden (William “Bubba”), R.J. Coats (Lila), James Daughtery, Teresa (Coats) Allen (Wendall) and Beth Coats. Proud Grandpa to Ronald Douglas Nance, Jr., Ty Nance, Madeline Nance, Jacob Rigdon, Austin Edmonds, Rebekah Edmonds, Emma Abeyta, Jessica McClendon, Marc Coats, Trevor Allen, Thad Allen, Kris Coats and Paisley LeGrand Coats; great grands, Kylee, Ty, Sarah, Hannah, Jewel, Erika, Kenneth, Alice, Cate, Cedar and Flynn. Ronnie also opened his heart to countless others as his own including numerous nieces, nephews and others that he held near. Ronnie married the love of his life Marilyn Sue on Valentine’s Day 1981. Their love story never grew past the teenage giddy honeymoon stage for over 20 years. Together they built a home from the ground up and their adventurous spirits enjoyed many trips over the years including living in Alaska during the 80’s. Losing his love in 2002 left him with a broken heart and spirit that was never healed. Ronnie loved his circle deeply. His passion for the outdoors, NASCAR, adventure painting, helping others along with good conversation over a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate pie will be forever remembered. Memorial services will be 11:00 am Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce, Arkansas. The family will be taking Ronnie on one last adventure to Colorado per his wishes at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family request that a flowering tree be planted in his name. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.