Ronnie Sherwood Kennett

Ronnie Sherwood Kennett, 85, of Bluefield, West Virginia, passed away peacefully in his home with his family by his side on February 28th, 2024. Ronnie was born August 19th, 1938, in McComas, West Virginia to Hubert Mayo Kennett and Elizabeth Uinda Kennett. Ronnie was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, as well as a friend to many in his community. Ronnie enjoyed and cherished his quality time with his family. As an avid sports fan, Ronnie was a fan of his beloved Boston Red Sox and anything involving his West Virginia Mountaineers. With the company of his beautiful wife Rachel, Ronnie loved singing and playing music, enjoyed board games, took pride in the upkeep of his home, traveling for both family and church events, as well as showing the world how much he loved Jesus Christ.

Graduating from McComas High School in 1956 and from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking in 1979, Ronnie would go on to have a successful career in banking and would retire from what is now known as Summit Community Bank in the year of 1999. Ronnie has also served as Treasurer for Appalachian Teen Challenge, as well as the IPHC Extension Loan Fund Board, and the IPHC Appalachian Conference Men’s Ministries Director. 

For decades, Ronnie, even as a young man, lived a life with a servant's heart unto his Lord and Savior. Following in the footsteps of his uncle, Leonard Repass, Ronnie would sing, write, and play songs to express his faith and help draw others unto the Lord. In doing so, he was song leader at his local church. Diving deeper into his walk with Christ, Ronnie had a heart for missions and lay-speaking which in turn would lead to the culmination of his published legacy; “Sights and Sounds of Heaven: The Pearly White City”.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rachel “Fweetie” Lee Welch Kennett, of 64 years; his father and mother Hubert Mayo Kennett and Elizabeth Uinda Kennett; and brother Jackson “Jack” Kennett (survived by his wife Juanita). Surviving members of Ronnie’s family left to honor his memory include his daughters Sharon Wellman (husband Carey) and Rhonda Bishop (husband Kevin), both of Bluefield, West Virginia; grandsons Andrew Burnopp and Shawn Wellman (wife Bethany); great-grandchildren Gabriel Burnopp, Austin Burnopp, London Wellman, and Parker Wellman; great-fur babies Pippa and Cooper; brothers Frederick Eugene Kennett (preceded by wife Shirley) of Erie, Pennsylvania; and Hubert Michael Kennett (wife Vickie) of McComas, West Virginia. Ronnie’s family has served as his caregivers, as well as Dashi Sho-Johnson (Ronnie’s “baseball buddy” and “yankee fan”).

Funeral services will be conducted at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home at 1:00 PM on Sunday, March 3, 2024, with Rev. John “Boo” Jenkins, Otis Bishop, Jerry Novell, and brothers Gene and Mike Kennett officiating the service. Family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearer is an honorary pallbearers include grandsons, Andrew Burnopp, and Shawn Wellman, and great grandson Gabriel Burnopp, and Austin Burnopp, as well as other friends and family.