Ronald Conner

Ronald Lewis Conner of Cape Girardeau was born June 25, 1951, in Bell City, Missouri, to the late Roberta Weakley-Conner and Ross Conner Sr. He departed this life Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, peacefully in his sleep at the age of 71 years.

Ronald was a 1969 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. He then went on to attend Southeast Missouri State University, where he was active in Association of Black Collegians.

Ron Lewis, or "Gump" as family and friends knew him, was an avid sports fan. He loved to be around people and have a good time. His magnetic smile was unforgettable. In his younger years, he would stay in shape by lifting weights, playing racquetball or running to keep up his physique. He was truly young at heart.

He leaves to mourn his passing two brothers, Ross (Marlena) Conner Jr. of Cape Girardeau and Eddie (Barbara) Conner of Dallas; sister, Linda G. York of Charlotte, North Carolina; four daughters, Tammy (Tim) Fullenwider-Wray of Decatur, Illinois, Marquita Barnett of Cape Girardeau, Michelle Fullenwider-Cayce of St. Louis and Lanell Williams of Dallas; son, Ronald L. (Roxanna) Conner Jr. of Chicago; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; his former wife, Rosalind Cavitt-Conner, with whom he shared a special friendship; a host of nieces and nephews; and special friend, Kenneth Campbell.

In addition to his parents, his oldest sister, Laverne Conner-Wiseman, and brother-in-law, Michael York, preceded him in death.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour of 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. Officiating the funeral will be the Rev. Dr. Joseph G. Cotton Jr. Interment will follow immediately at Fairmount Cemetery, with Williams Funeral Home of Charleston, Missouri, in charge of arrangements.