On Monday, September 16, 2024, Ronald Charles Groce, surrounded by his family, entered eternal peace.  Ronald (Ron) was born on August 23, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, to Melvina Groce and the late Samuel Younger.  At an early age, Ronald accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.  He was baptized at Berean Missionary Baptist Church.  The great-grandson of the late Reverend Willis B. Wyatt, founder of Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Brooklyn, Ronald learned about serving God at the feet of his maternal grandmother, Mildred Wyatt Groce.  Ronald enlisted in the Air Force in August 1968.  On December 6, 1969, Ronald married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Harvell.  He distinctively served in the Air Force for 24 years receiving numerous awards and recognitions.  Once retired from the Air Force, Ronald was employed at Riverside Regional Medical Center for 24 years.

On September 15, 1991, Ronald was ordained as a deacon by Zion Prospect Baptist Church.  In addition to diaconate duties, Ronald served as youth advisor.  His favorite hymn was "Blessed Assurance".  Ronald's life journey was defined by love, happiness, and the pride and joy he felt for his family and friends.  He saw the children of Zion Prospect as his own gracing them with his philosophy to live life with grace, integrity and inner peace.  Ronald found joy in spending treasured moments with family.  He loved family get-togethers, loved to joke and always had a smile on his face.  His passion was watching his children and grandchildren!  He will be missed and forever loved by all who know him.  His presence in our lives was a blessing, his memory is a treasure and will live on in our hearts. Although teardrops run down our faces, we know that we will meet again.

Ronald was predeceased by his father, Samuel Younger.  Hearing the call of the Good Shepherd, Ronald took His hand, turned his back and left it all.  He leaves to mourn and cherish his memory his loving and dedicated wife:  Patricia Harvell-Groce; daughters Rosalyn Groce and Pamela Groce-Jenkins (Calvin); granddaughters Courtney Jenkins, Camille Jenkins, and Corinne Jenkins; grandson Calvin Jenkins, Jr.; his mother Melvina Groce Perin; two sisters Darlene Newell and Celeste Newell Sassine (Jean); one brother Christopher Perrin; five sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; four aunts; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

It is the desire of the Groce family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  The family will receive friends  from 6-7:00 pm, Thursday, September 26, 2024 at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, 27 September 2024, 11:00, at Zion Prospect Baptist Church, 408 Darby Road, Yorktown.  Repast will follow.  Interment will be on October 7th, 2:00 pm, at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk.