Ronald Joseph Bright

Rev. Ronald J. Bright – age 63, went to be with Jesus on Monday, June 27th, 2016. Ron was born in Blount County on February 12, 1953. He lived most of his life in Powell, TN, and graduated from Powell High School before earning his Bachelor’s degree from Carson-Newman University and later his Masters of Divinity from Southern Seminary. Ron married his high school sweetheart, Sherry Shipley, in November of 1973 and went on to raise one daughter and two sons. Ron was a pastor for 40 years in and around the Knoxville area, including Senior Pastor at Trinity Baptist in Karns, Union Baptist in Halls, Marble City Baptist, Black Oak Baptist in Clinton, and Gallaher Memorial Baptist. He also served in the community by working with at-risk youth as a counselor. Ron was an avid University of Tennessee athletic fan and ushered home football games for many years with his sons. He loved both playing and watching sports, but most of all he loved his family, especially his twin grandsons. He was a loving son, big brother, faithful husband, dependable father, loyal friend, and fun-loving man who enjoyed making people laugh. Ron touched so many lives and made an eternal impact that endures on long past his time here on earth. Ron’s testimony could be summed up in this, “I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Ron’s life was a living sermon, always practicing what he preached. Ron preached in the pulpit up until the last week of his life. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sherry Shipley; daughter, Cindy Seaver and husband Ed Seaver; sons, Danny Bright and wife Blair, Randy Bright; twin grandsons, Blake and Wesley Seaver; parents, George and Rachel Bright; sister, Debbie Buchanan and husband David Buchanan and son Andy Buchanan; father and mother-in-law, Gene and Shirley Shipley; several other in-laws and nephews. Funeral service 7:00 pm Friday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. The interment will be on Saturday at 10:00 am at Pleasant Forrest Cemetery in Farragut. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Ron’s name be made to either Camp Ba-Yo-Ca, 2320 Happy Hollow Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862, or the Kindey Foundation of East Tennessee, 4450 Walker Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37917. The family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com

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Ronald Joseph Bright

February 12, 1953 - June 27, 2016