Rev. Charles Ronnie Bays

Rev. Charles Ronnie Bays, 74, of Elizabethtown, passed away at 4:46 a.m. on Monday, January 29, 2024, at his residence.

Born December 29, 1949, in Pineville, Kentucky, he was the son of the late William Talt and Minnie (Watkins) Bays. He married Gladys Bays on August 7, 1969 in Pineville, Kentucky; she survives.

Ronnie was a 1968 graduate of North Vernon High School and was the Pastor of Valley Settlement Old Regular Baptist Church for 15 years and Pastor of Grace Missionary Baptist in North Vernon. He had worked at Arvin’s as a welder for 11 years and Cummins Engine Company for ten years, both in Columbus. He enjoyed serving the Lord and talking about Jesus, reading his Bible, spending time with his family, playing guitar, and gardening.   

Surviving with his wife, Gladys, are a son, Charles Dwayne (David Miller) Bays of Naples, Florida; daughter, Janet Lee (Matthew) Parker of Scipio; brother, James Bays of North Vernon; sister, Launa Poynter of Lima, Ohio; grandchildren, Erica (Matthew) Lockhard, Danielle (John) Williams, and Tanner Parker, all of Scipio; and great-grandchildren, John Williams, Jaxson Williams, Dominic Williams and Everlee Grace Williams, all of Scipio.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Eddie, Roy, Pershian, and William Earl Bays Sr.; and sisters, Eva Pridemore, Bessie Brooks, Ella Mae Bays, Mary M. Brewer, and Faye Brewer.

The funeral service for Rev. Bays will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon with the Reverends Gary Carroll and Harold Lee Fuson officiating. The visitation for family and friends will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will follow in the Scipio Cemetery in Scipio.

Memorials may be made in honor of Rev. Bays through the funeral home to American Cancer Society.

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