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Ronny Karl Essex (Ronnie Carl) was born in Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama on May 25, 1956 to Edwina Essex and the late Noah Thornton. He confessed Christ at an early age and joined the Friendship Baptist Church in Demopolis. Ronny graduated from John Essex High School in 1974.

While in high school, Ronny decided to enroll in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). After graduation from high school he enrolled at Selma University and Stillman College where he studied biology and chemistry. While at Selma University, Ronny was initiated into Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Delta Pi Chapter.

After college, Ronny enlisted in the U.S. Army. Ronny loved working in the medical labs and doing research at various hospitals. He traveled extensively with his military career which included working as a laboratory technician. Ronny worked in multiple locations around the world including the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Ronny continued his education at Bowie State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and broadcast media.

Ronny married Fannye Russelet Tyson of Illinois and lived in the U.S. and in Germany. To their union was born one son, Robert “Bob Marley” Essex.

Over the course of his life, Ronny was also blessed with three more sons: Contersey “Terrell” Jones, Kelvin Jones and Cameron Essex.

After living and being stationed in various states, Ronny and Cameron moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where Ronny worked as a phlebotomist at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi. From there, Ronny decided to move with Cameron to the Seattle, Washington area. Ronny lived there until his health declined. No matter where he went, Ronny had a great sense of humor that will always be remembered.

Ronny departed this life at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington on Friday, November 12, 2021.

He was the grandson of the Late Eugene (Sam) and Mary Pearl Essex, Sr. and leaves to cherish his memory, a loving mother, Edwina Smith, Albion, Michigan. Four sons: Contersey “Terrell” Jones (Michelle) and Kelvin Jones, all of Severn, Maryland; Robert Essex, Champaign, Illinois; and Cameron Essex, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Siblings: Yvonne Spence (Al), Albion, Michigan; OJ Smith, Jr. (Lisa), Cincinnati, Ohio; Anthony ‘’Tony” Smith, Michigan; Jacqueline Smith, Cleveland, Ohio; Albert Joe Thornton, Duluth, Georgia; Johnny Thornton, Demopolis, AL; Noah Thornton, Georgia; Joseph Thornton, Douglas, Georgia; Ramona Thornton, Pennsylvania; Sandra Elaine, Massachusetts; Josephine Cistrunk, Birmingham, Alabama; Pastor Debra Howard, Demopolis, Alabama; one grandchild: David Logan Kai Jones, Severn, Maryland; and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, family, fraternity brothers, friends and his dog Blue.