On January 1, 2015, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, called Ronnie Ervin Newkirk home to eternal rest. Ronnie Ervin Newkirk, affectionately known to many as "Newkirk" was born July 12, 1954, to the late Willy Newkirk and Marjorie Jones in Richmond Virginia. Even though he grew up in Richmond and received his education in the Richmond School system, he spent most of his time in the Ashland area with friends and family members. Ronnie did various jobs as a laborer in the state of Virginia. Then he relocated to Pennsylvania and got a job working as a security guard at the Philadelphia zoo. Ronnie really loved that job until he had to retired because of heart problems. He was an avid hunter and fishermen. He loved sports and if you needed some repairs on your vehicle he was there to help fix the problem. He was preceded in death by one sister and four brothers. Ronnie leaves to cherish his memories: Rebecca Newkirk devoted wife of 17 years, two sons Ronnie Newkirk Jr., Ronnie Harris, three daughters Veronica Piercy, Shauntelle Coleman, Monique Coleman, one step son Sean Clay, one step daughter Keesha Smith, ten grandchildren, six step grandchildren, two step great grandchildren, three brothers Henry Johnson, Henry Newkirk, James Hardy and one sister Sally Hollingsworth and a host of family and friends.