Ronnie Graves

Ronald "Ronnie" Roland Graves, 76, of Higden, Arkansas, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 22, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Born on November 18, 1948, at Davis Hospital in Pine Bluff, Ronnie was the son of Robert Roland Graves and Norma Jean Seay. He grew up in Pine Bluff with a large and loving family.
Ronnie's life changed forever when he met the love of his life, Necia Ferrell, at the Linden Street Roller Rink. The two married on October 29, 1971, and spent more than five decades building a life full of devotion, family, and the occasional inappropriate joke. He often said he "married up," and anyone who knew them agreed. He loved roller skating, riding motorcycles, and spending time with family and friends with the horses in Big Dad's Field.
He began his working life at the Coca-Cola bottling plant, but in 1973, he entered the car battery business with his Uncle Norman. Traveling across the state delivering batteries, he quickly became known as "The Battery Man." He remained in the battery business for the rest of his working life, building relationships across Arkansas.
In 1976 he got a new boss when his daughter Ronda was born. His priorities shifted to raising a family in Watson Chapel, where he mowed the yard every afternoon and owned the tallest satellite dish in town.
In 1997, Ronnie and Necia made their dream move to Greers Ferry Lake in Higden, where he quickly became the unofficial "Mayor of Higden." He loved pontoon rides, four-wheelers, lake holidays, fireworks, and shooting the breeze with neighbors. He always kept a close eye on everyone's homes like a true small-town guardian angel.
Ronnie became "Paw" when his grandchildren, Katie and Dawson Walthall, were born. Nothing brought him more joy than spending time with them at ballgames, where he proudly worked the gate at every one, or out on the lake enjoying family time.
He loved his church family and served faithfully as a greeter at Little Rock First since its founding in 2012. Ronnie also loved country music, telling the same joke at every family gathering and spinning the same story over and over. Some parts were true, but most were enhanced. He was a master of obscure facts and offbeat humor and had the rare gift of making you laugh until your stomach hurt or shake your head in disbelief-often both.
Later in life, he never missed a poker night with his buddies or breakfast at Bentley's. He could frequently be found sitting in his car, playing Solitaire or watching Family Feud on his iPad, keeping an eye on the neighborhood and waiting for the next good story to come his way.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his father Robert Roland Graves, mother Norma Jean Seay, stepfather Smith Seay, and brother Billy Axsom.
He is survived by his wife, Necia Graves; daughter Ronda Walthall and son-in-law Scott of Little Rock; grandchildren Katie Espejo and her husband, Timothy; and Dawson Walthall and his fiancée, Sophia, all of North Little Rock.
Also surviving him are his beloved siblings: brothers, Johnny (Nancy) Graves of Rison, Gene (Vicky) Graves of White Hall, Jerry (Sandra) Graves of Pine Bluff, Mike (Cindy) Graves and Steve (Michelle) Graves of El Dorado, Robert (Aileen) Graves of Benton, and Tommy (Lisa) Graves of Cordele, Georgia; sisters: Julie (Tony) Coffman of Bryant, Becky Vilches of White Hall, Kathy Graves of Sheridan, and Nadine (Stan) Wolfe of Pine Bluff.
He also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, lake buddies, church family, and anyone who ever heard one of his jokes, especially the one he told a few too many times.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 28, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at First Little Rock Church, located at Southwest Christian Academy, 11301 Geyer Springs Road, Little Rock, AR 72209. The service will follow at 11:00 a.m. There will be a 1:30 p.m. graveside service in Pine Bluff at Good Faith Cemetery. Arrangements are by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services of Pine Bluff.
Any floral tributes from Little Rock should be delivered to the church on Saturday morning.
For online condolences, please visit RobinsonFuller.com