Ronnie Smallen was born on August 31, 1936 in Stilwell, Oklahoma to Arlie & Viola (Coombes) Smallen. He passed from this life on October 24, 2006 in Muskogee, Oklahoma at the age of 70 years, 1 month & 23 days.

Ronnie grew up in the Stilwell community and was a graduate of Stilwell High School. He accepted the call to preaching and ministry as a young man and had served as a Free Will Baptist minister in this area for almost 50 years. He served as the pastor for churches in Lowery, Tahlequah, Bixby, Keefeton, Muskogee and Haskell. In addition to his pastoring, he also owned a service station for several years in Twin Oaks, worked at Green Country Floor Coverings and served as an assistant funeral director for Hart Funeral Home in Tahlequah and Leonard Funeral Home in Bixby. Some of his favorite things in life were preaching, cooking and spoiling his grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sally (McCrary) Smallen whom he married on February 21, 1964 in Lowery, Oklahoma as well as by 2 sons; Donald Ray Smallen and wife Vickie, of Bixby & Randy Smallen and wife Angela, of Muskogee, 2 daughters; Anita McCrary and husband Tim, of Bixby & Lesa Armstrong and husband Transic, of Muskogee, 2 sisters; Etta Belle Crittenden of Catoosa & Elva Grace Stevens of Tulsa, 9 grandchildren; Danny, Erin, Melissa, Daryl, Sammie Kay, Derek, Tyler, Kelli & Katie as well as several nieces & nephews, including 2 nephews he helped to raise; Robert & Gene Smallen, many other relatives, friends and church family. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister; Lucille Guinn, 1 brother; Virgil Smallen, an infant daughter; Diana Kay and his first wife; Marie Hill.

Casket bearers were Jeff Bemo, Brian Gibson, Larry Williams, Danny Smallen, Derek Smallen, Daryl Smallen, Larry Hill, Robert Smallen & Tyler Armstrong. Honorary bearers were Ray DeFoor, Kenneth Jones, Gene Green, Tommy Gibson, John Walker, Selton Cartwright & Ray Grantham.

Music was provided by Jimmy & Karen Lane.