Ronald Kirby York

In the late morning of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, our dear sweet cousin, Ronald Kirby York, passed from the struggles of this Earth peacefully into the realm of his Eternal Life. Many sad and broken hearts are grieving the loss of the huge spot of light he held in our daily lives.

Ron to many, Ronnie to me and my family, was born on December 21, 1944, to Loudell Kirby York and Marvin “Peck” York in Shreveport, Louisiana where he romped and played with his Graves cousins. His family moved back to Albertville, Alabama right before Ronnie began first grade. And 12 years later in May 1963 he graduated from Albertville High School. He then attended Snead College and found his perfect place - in Theatre class and on the Stage.

As a child growing up in Texas and visiting our Alabama relatives every summer and every other Christmas, I thought cousin Ronnie was the coolest and absolute greatest. He shared my love of books, music, theatre and especially movies. He was filled with wit and an acute power of observation of everything around him. He was fun and full of endless stories of our very colorful family. He sadly lost his marvelous beloved parents quite young but he remained in the family home so filled with beautiful memories where we continued to visit for years to come. His love of theatre led him to his passion and his greatest joy and divine calling and immense accomplishment - The Whole Backstage Theatre Group in Guntersville, Alabama. While he worked as an assistant manager for Dollar General, his nights were filled with practice and performances - over 37 Plays and Musicals, playing the lead in several. He absolutely loved entertaining others from the stage and what a presence he had. The ones in the audience were the luckier for it.

In 2007, sadly Ronnie suffered a series of strokes which left him paralyzed and a new plan was forced upon him. He had to leave his beloved theatre group and stage and his family home and travel to Greensboro, North Carolina to be near his sister Charlotte. He has since been in the care of the nice staff at Ashton Place Health and Rehabilitation Care Center in McCleansville, North Carolina. Ronnie could have been bitter and mean and contemptuous over the limitations thrust upon him but he instead was thankful, joyful, sweet and kind, and truly appreciated every single thing done for him. He was positive and his wit and beautiful sense of humor never slipped away. The staff adored him and he was so grateful for their care.

Ronnie loved and adored our amazing loving friend Michele Garr and her precious therapy pup Penny. The day Michele answered my call for pet therapy for my cousin led to untold blessings and happiness and friendship not only for Ronnie but for me and our cousin Paula, in charge of his care. She shared his love of books, movies, theatre, watermelon and Key Lime Pie which she took to him often. They watched movies and Ronnie entertained her with many tales of our family. She included me in the visits by FaceTime and it was just a joy. The same goes for our dear friend Floyd Nesbitt and those in The Gathering Sunday School Class at Mount Pisgah Church which adopted him. Floyd brought Ronnie books and Communion and great conversation and the ladies also visited often and brought cards and goodies. Sue Eaker was another dear sweet friend from Mt. Pisgah who visited Ronnie every Sunday after church and brought him goodies and cards and more joy. As did the Pastor Rev. Dr. Jeff Johnsen who visited Ronnie when he was in the hospital when others were not allowed due to a flu outbreak. For these lovely precious faith filled people, and that precious puppy Penny, there are not enough thank you’s. They cared deeply for our Ronnie and he truly loved them. In Michele’s perfect words, “Ronnie was an incredible person: prompted with a movie line could tell you the title and actors, who would tell with delight his best and worst acting roles, with clarity speak of his admiration for his mom, and despite his physical challenges, would light up at the sight of Penny’s enthusiasm

He was a man of positivity, hopefulness, and appreciation…”

Ronnie was predeceased by his parents, Marvin “Peck” York and Loudell Kirby York, his dear very close much loved sister Charlotte York Divitci and her husband Nezih Divitci, as well as many beloved pets, one especially being Buttons, and many hugely loved Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his cousins who love him dearly. Including me.

His Service will be held at a later date to be determined in Albertville, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make Memorials, Ronnie would love them to go to the Whole Backstage Theatre in Guntersville, Alabama, to Mt. Pisgah Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, or to Authoracare Collective whose Hospice Nurses were very attentive and helpful to Ronnie these past few months.

To our Ronnie, for us who love you, you will never fade nor age nor die. You are restored to full health and are laughing in the Heavens with our Family. Dear Sweet One How We Have Loved You….