Ronald Keith Cumbee, 72, of Shallotte, NC, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024, following a sudden and brief illness. He was the youngest child of Fred and Irene Cumbee of Supply, NC. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers Thurston, Gary, Barry, Danny and Bobby and by sisters Berneice and Sylvia. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of almost 53 years, Debra; daughters April Smith (Mark), Erica Thomas (Mark); grandchildren Cameron Smith (Cassidi), Christian Smith, Mark Thomas III, Kai Thomas and Lily Thomas; great grandchild, Shepard Cumbee Smith; sisters, Iris Jenkins and Joann Willetts (E.L.); brother Wayne Cumbee and special brother David Gray (Edna); and his church family at Jennies Branch Baptist Church. He was a favorite uncle to a host of nieces and nephews.

His working years included positions at Babcock & Wilcox (welder, A fitter, member/treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers - Local 905), self-employment in residential building and automotive repair, as well as the Town of Shallotte. During retirement, he embraced his true passion of helping others by sharing an incredibly vast vocational knowledge as a Brunswick Community College workforce development instructor, while also working as a licensed electrician.

Competitive by nature, he was proud of his athletic pursuits in track and football as a Shallotte High School Pirate. In his later years, he was a devout fan of any and all sports, especially those involving his children and grandchildren. An avid motorsports fan, he enjoyed many weekends at the track and Sunday afternoon naps to the roar of NASCAR. Always ready to win a board game, he was a champion Scrabble player.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 9, 2024, at eleven o’clock in the morning at Mount Olive Baptist Church, Bolivia, NC with Reverend Anthony Clemmons, Reverend Landis Lancaster and Reverend Jason L. Benton officiating.

Pallbearers will be Aidan Crooks, Jeremy Cumbee, David Doolittle, Brandon Hardee, Billy Inman and Chris Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Shallotte High School Class of 1969.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 8, 2024, from six o’clock to eight o’clock at Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte, NC and at other times at the family home.

Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte Chapel