Ronnie Larry Drinkard

RONNIE LARRY DRINKARD, age 78 of Clanton, went home to be with his Lord on September 5, 2025 at UAB St. Vincent–Chilton Hospital in Clanton, AL. He was born in Thomasville, AL on December 11, 1946, the son of the late A.C. Drinkard and the late Beatrice Wiggins Drinkard.

Ronnie was the assistant manager at Russell Do It Center in Clanton, where his friendly nature and kind spirit made him beloved by coworkers and customers alike. He never met a stranger and found great joy in meeting new people.

A man of the outdoors, Ronnie enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he especially cherished the times spent teaching his son, grandson, nieces, and nephews the skills and patience of the sport. His greatest passion, however, was for horses. In 2022, he was inducted into the Alabama Open Horseman’s Association Hall of Fame in recognition of his many years of showmanship, horse training, and giving riding lessons to children. Ronnie built a remarkable legacy in the horse world, winning numerous shows across the southeastern United States, and passing on his love for horses and horsemanship to his son and grandson.

Above all, Ronnie loved his Lord. He gave his heart to Christ in his early 20s and remained a faithful servant throughout his life, devoted to his church and to the testimony he lived out daily. His love for his family and his faith was evident to all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife, Glenda Coats Drinkard of Clanton; sons, Ronnie Neal (Melodye Harrison) Drinkard of Clanton and Larry Anthony (Erica) Drinkard of Uvalde, TX; grandsons, Micah Neal Drinkard of Clanton, Maverick Augustus Drinkard and Wyatt Cash Drinkard of Uvalde, TX; brother, Clyde Bonner (Mary Ann) Drinkard of Robertsdale; sister, Linda Drinkard (Dale) Anderson of Clanton; brother, Douglas Craig (Wanda) Drinkard of Thomasville; along with a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 11:00am from Mt. Springs Church with Rev. Ronnie Giles, Rev. Leon Harrison, and Rev. Clay Collins officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Inurnment will follow in the Mt. Springs Cemetery in Clanton, AL.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." – 2 Timothy 4:7

Final care and arrangements entrusted to the Ellison Memorial Funeral Home of Clanton, AL.

www.EllisonMemorialFuneralHome.com