Ronnie Gene Heavener, 69, passed away on October 18, 2016, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN. He was born on March 28, 1947, to Treutt Kinnon and Katie Mae Hutchinson Heavener in Tippah County, MS. Ronnie was retired from BNSF Railroad with 40 years of service."Mr. Ronnie" was a Preschool Sunday School teacher at Parkway Baptist Church in Tupelo, MS, for over 20 years and he considered this a calling. He was a avid Ole Miss fan and season ticket holder for years. But his ultimate joy was derived from watching his children and grandchildren play various sports. Ronnie was a member of First Methodist Church of Ripley, MS.Funeral services will be Friday, October 21, 2016, at 10:30 AM at McBride Funeral Home Chapel in Ripley with burial to follow in Palmer Cemetery. There will also be visitation for Ronnie from 9:30 AM until the Funeral Service at 10:30 AM at McBride Funeral Home. Dr. Rex Yancey and Bryan Collier will be the officiating ministers. Ronnie is survived by his wife, Judy Permenter Heavener of Ripley; a daughter, Lisa Heavener Sandroni (Todd) of Tupelo; a son, Brent Heavener of Jackson, MS; a daughter, Holly Fortier of Ripley; a son, Freddie B. Fortier (Jill) of Ripley; two sisters, Elizabeth Pulliam of Ripley and Nada Heavener of Tupelo; seven grandchildren, Ray Sandroni, Kyle Coombs, Will Sandroni, Drew Coombs, Charlie Coombs, Tripp Fortier, and Brody Fortier; the mother of his children, Lindall McElroy Heavener of Tupelo; two nieces, Jo Beth Akins (Ken) of Ripley and Meg Bruce of Tupelo; two great nephews, Kinnon and Benjamin Akins. Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Andy Fortier: Pallbearers will be Danny Moore, Luke McAlpin, J.C. Kendrick, Gray Wallace, Brain Hicks, Mark Guin, Wes Bowen, Ken Akins, Jay Scruggs:Honorary pallbearers will be his seven grandsons.Memorials in Ronnie's name may be made to Noah's Ark, 304 S. Main St., Ripley, MS 38663 or the Orchard United Methodist Church, 1379 Coley Rd, Tupelo, MS 38801.To view and leave on line condolences please visit www.mcbridefuneralhome.com