Elder Ronnie L. Crenshaw - Celebration of Life

Celebration of Elder Ronnie L. Crenshaw

Sunrise

May 17, 1968

Sunset

April 7, 2021

Celebration of Life Saturday – April 17, 2021 10:00 AM Viewing 10:30 AM Services Zion Pentecostal Church of Christ 14102 Harvard Avenue Cleveland OH 44128 Bishop C. Wayne Brantley, Pastor/Eulogist

“…to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

OBITUARY Ronnie Lewis Crenshaw was born to the proud parents of Ronnie Lewis Peterson and Shirley Crenshaw on May 17, 1968 in Cleveland, Ohio. On April 7, 2021, Ronnie transitioned this life to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that he loved so much.

Ronnie received Jesus Christ, as His Lord and Savior, at the tender age of six.

Amazingly, similar to a young Jesus, when his family could not find young Ronnie? They would find him sitting quietly in the church! His family knew he was destined to do the Lord’s work. Everyone who knew Ronnie, knew ‘The Voice’. They knew his song. He inherited his rich, melodic voice from his devoted mother and baritonevoiced grandfather. His gift of song was a family thing!

He graduated from Cleveland’s Shaw High School where he was a member of the Glee Club, sang in the Concert Choir and starred in many musicals and plays including ‘The Wiz’. He went on to attend the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky where he continued his singing ways with the university’s gospel group – The Black Diamond Choir. His sultry voice and kind, loving spirit left an indelible mark on teachers, professors and friends.

Over the past 10 years, he was highly sought after to sing, pray and praise in concerts and solos all over the world. Ronnie shared his beautiful, full-range voice with his brothers and sisters abroad in places like Bermuda, London, Paris and more.

Ronnie’s love for God was alive in every corner of this life. Anyone who knew Ronnie, knew he was fiercely committed to his God. He served in a variety of spiritual capacities. He was Praise & Worship Leader and minister at Zion Pentecostal Church of Christ. He was an influential role model for young black boys and young men from ages 8 – 21 years old through the Boys-To-Men and Men of Valor mentoring programs.

He ministered to those in prison and those homeless on the streets. He was active in so many professional and church organizations that there are too many to name!

In the last two years, he reached, perhaps, his highest honor when he was ordained as an Associate Pastor at KBI. He cherished this assignment and humbly went about touching lives and doing God’s work, with more vigor than ever, until his last days.

Although Ronnie was born with a notable health challenge, he NEVER allowed it to hinder him or his love for God. He NEVER gave up on God. He walked with God EVERY step of his life!

He tirelessly stayed the course God laid before him. His moral example, unspeakable bravery and courage in the face of his physical challenges, was inspirational and served as a bold, walking testimony of God’s goodness.

Always advancing the Kingdom of God, just recently, Ronnie launched his own signature apparel line called “Faith is The Plan” that featured T-shirts, hats, book covers, mugs, umbrellas and more. His Aunt Gwen Crenshaw is the co-owner who will ensure his vision lives on.

Ronnie leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved mother, Shirley Coleman (Crenshaw); brothers Theodore, Damon, Marcus (Susanne) and Marcellus along with a long list of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends that he loved dearly and deeply.

“…in my Father's house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2-3

ORDER OF SERVICE As difficult as it may be in our collective grief, due to COVID-19, we kindly request that you maintain social distancing and refrain from embracing the family or other attendees in the spirit of keeping one another safe.

Processional & Viewing (music prelude) Invocation/Opening Prayer…………………………………………..Evangelist Tina Lining Musical Selection – “The Presence of The Lord Is Here” Scripture Reading ………………………………Jeremiah 29:11 Evangelist Cynthia Gooden 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Leslie Scruggs

Musical Selection – “God Never Fails”….............................................Karen King Proclamation Reading………………………………………………………………………..Tee Foxx

Special Family Remarks.……………Willie Crenshaw, Damond Peterson, Marcus Coleman Please limit all remarks to one to two minutes

Musical Selection – “For Every Mountain”………………………………Lady Tanesha Owens Obituary Reading (read silently) Special Video Presentation: ‘Ronnie in Song’ Musical Selection – “What I Feel”…………………………………………………….…Karen King Musical Selection – “I Shall Wear A Crown”………….……………………Joe Little

Eulogy……………………………………………………………Bishop C. Wayne Brantley Benediction……………………………………………………….Bishop C. Wayne Brantley Recessional

Dove Release “…to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5:8

“Miss Me, But Let Me Go” When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not too long And not with your head bowed low

Remember the love we once shared Miss me, but let me go For this journey we all must take And each must go alone Its all a part of the Master’s plan A step on the long road home When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to family & friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds Miss me, but let me go.

Acknowledgements The Family of Ronnie Crenshaw would like to thank you for all of your kind words of encouragement and sympathy, phone calls, emails, posts, text messages, cards and gifts of condolences.

A very special thanks to Bishop C. Wayne Brantley and The Zion Pentecostal Church of Christ Family! Also, a special thank you to Leslie Ann Scruggs for being a godly help in Ronnie’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you make a charitable donation, in Ronnie’s name, to The National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org

Pall Bearers Deacon Albert Rucker Marcus Coleman Marcellus Coleman

Willie Crenshaw Damon Peterson

Services Entrusted to

Lucas Memorial Chapel

9010 Garfield Blvd, Garfield Heights, OH 44125 Repast to be Announced