Ronnie Edward Rawls

Ronnie Rawls Sr., 75, of Paragould, Arkansas, passed away on February 6, 2026 - leaving behind a legacy of grit, loyalty, love, and a life lived full throttle.

Born on December 9, 1950, in Paragould, Ronnie was Arkansas through and through. It was not just where he was born - it was who he was. Though he answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army with the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1971, his heart never left home. He proudly served as one of the best of the best, and he even chose to stay longer to ensure that when he returned, home would truly mean Paragould. That kind of loyalty defined him.

Ronnie was a stubborn cowboy with a tender heart. Raised in a strong farming family, he learned early that hard work wasn't optional - it was a way of life. He carried that ethic into everything he did. If something broke, he fixed it. If something needed doing, he handled it. As a seasoned truck driver, he built a respected career on experience, grit, and the kind of mechanical instinct you just can't teach. He retired when he was ready - not a moment before.

He loved cool trucks and fast cars, and he didn't just admire them - he drove them like he meant it. In the 1970s, he won every race for an entire season at the track in Oswego, Illinois. Speed wasn't just a hobby; it was in his blood. He recently said he had been "slinging gravel and spinning tires" for as long as he could remember - and anyone who knew Ronnie knew that was the honest truth. He loved to go. Sitting still was never quite his style.

But beneath the horsepower and stubborn streak was a deeply devoted father and family man. As a single father, Ronnie poured himself into raising his children with strength, pride, and unwavering love. He even served as a proud member of the school board where his children attended, showing up not just at home but in the community that helped shape them.

His legacy stretches far beyond one generation. He is survived by his children, Ginger Rawls, Ronnie Rawls, Jr., and Westley (Shanna) Rawls; siblings, JW (Ellen) Rawls and Belinda Rawls Hastings; his beloved grandchildren, Mykala, Hunter Dean (Mollie), Jenna (Austin), Haven, Lane, Devon, Levi, Tysan, Hunter Lane Jacob, Paxton, Carter, and Calvin; and his great-grandchildren, Ryleigh, Bristol, Maeve, and Dutton - each of whom carry a piece of his strength and spirit forward.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earnie Rawls; his mother, Barbara Nell Rawls; and his brothers, Ricky and Eddie Rawls - a family he loved deeply and now joins again.

Ronnie also cherished the simple, steady rhythms of life - routine meals, familiar seats, and long conversations with lifelong friends at Ironhorse BBQ and Steakhouse and other local gathering spots. Those tables were filled with laughter, storytelling, and decades of friendship.

He was a proud veteran. A racer. A truck driver. A cowboy. A fixer of things. A man who stood firm. A man who loved fiercely, our superman.

Ronnie Rawls Sr. lived a full, well-driven life - one marked by service, speed, loyalty, and an unshakable devotion to his family and his hometown. His story doesn't end here; it rolls on in every mile driven, every lesson taught, and every memory shared.

And if there's gravel flying somewhere and tires spinning a little faster than they should, it's not hard to imagine Ronnie smiling.

Ronnie's life will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Heath Funeral Home. A visitation will begin at 12:30 pm with the funeral service commencing at 1:30 pm officiated by Pastors Robert Hager, Jr. and Dennis Strope. Burial will follow at Shiloh Cemetery. Pallbearers are Ronnie Rawls, Jr., Wes Rawls, Hunter Ramirez, Lane Rawls, Levi Rawls, Jacob Rawls, Sheri Hager, and Richard Ramirez, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Darrel "Butch" Dowdy and Larry "Mousey" Davis.