Deacon Donell Rone, affectionately known as “Romeo,” was born April 13, 1940, in Emerson, Arkansas to the late Tim and Alberta Rone. He departed his earthly journey on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Wentworth Place in Magnolia, Arkansas.

Donell met and married Laters Faye Biddle in 1967. To this union, he gained a bonus son and later they added a daughter.

Deacon Rone accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He possessed a heart of service and was truly dedicated to the work of ministry with his life. His faith was the cornerstone of his life, guiding his actions and inspiring those around him. He was a man of deep compassion, always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to those in need.

A part of his early Christian journey began at Roadside Church of God in Christ (presently known as Greater Roadside Church of God in Christ) in Emerson, Arkansas. At the persuasion of his brother-in-law, Ocie Glover, Deacon Rone moved his family’s membership to Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Superintendent Larry Roach—where he remained a faithful member of his church for well over 30 years until his health began to fail. He always showed genuine love to his pastor and church family every time he would enter the church’s doors.

Even though Deacon Rone was small in stature, when it came to having brute strength to knock even the biggest trees down, Deacon Rone was there. It was nothing for him to utilize every part of his body, while working in the Pulpwood Industry, to provide for his treasured family.

Deacon Rone was a man of many passions. His greatest joy was spending time on the water, fishing. If he wasn’t at church, work, or home with his family, you could rest assured he was on a pond, lake or creek with his best friends—the late Reverend Willie Manning and the late Will Davis. When he wasn't fishing, he could often be found strumming his guitar. Every time visitors would come over, they would get serenaded with Booker T. & the MG’s classic “Green Onions” before they would leave. His third hobby was playing dominoes with Welcome and Thurlene Green.

Deacon Rone never met a stranger. If you had the golden opportunity to encounter him anywhere, your memory of him is filled with his infectious smile, laughter, jokes, and most of all his loving personality. He would literally give you the shirt off of his back! He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Larry Smith; two brothers, Lonzell and Arthur Lee Rone; five sisters: Corene Jones, Ollie Hardwell, Louise Critton, Annie M. Aubrey, and Christene Easter; one granddaughter, Amanda Smith; and son-in-law, Michael Crockett.

He leaves to cherish his memories his cherished wife of 57 years, Faye Rone of Magnolia, AR; daughter, Shaneka Crockett of Magnolia, AR; sisters: Willie Smith and Gracie Manning, both of Magnolia, AR; four grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.