Rev. Ronnie "Doc" Stapleton

On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Ronnie Stapleton of Beckley, known to many as “Doc” was called home to be with our Lord and Savior at the age of 80.

Ronnie was born on September 2, 1940 in Wise, VA. He was the sixth of fourteen children born to Milton and Ollie Smith Stapleton. Ronnie served our country proudly in the US Army, spending time in Germany and Korea. After completing his tour of duty, he returned to Virginia, where he met the love of his life, his wife, Gladys. The two were married in August of 1962 and left Virginia to become residents of Beckley in 1964.

Ronnie’s passions included living life, hard work, and helping others. There was no challenge to big or task he could not accomplish. While living in Virginia, he worked as a city police officer in the town of Norton. After moving to West Virginia, Ronnie began his employment with Dupont starting out as a security guard. He diligently completed his training and began his lifelong career as a professional truck driver, later becoming the owner and operator of Stapleton Trucking Company. After giving his life to the Lord, Ronnie began teaching others and found himself behind the pulpit at the First Church of God in Mt. Hope, WV. Ronnie was always ready to help in any situation and while hauling explosives through Arkansas in the early morning hours he came upon a fire engulfed vehicle sitting on the side of the road. Being a man of strong faith, he asked the Lord to show him if anyone was in that car. After passing that car, he looked in his side view mirror and saw the brake lights come on. Ronnie knew someone needed his help and immediately pulled his truck to a stop, ran back to the car, and proceeded in saving two individuals. Ronnie soon received public recognition as the first ever recipient of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s Highway Hero Award in 1983. On the tenth year anniversary of the Highway Hero Award, he was invited to be a guest in Nashville, TN to make an appearance on the “Ralph Emory Show”. His passion for living life and knack for never meeting a stranger, many times greeting others with one of his favorite terms “Bubsy” shortly led him to his role in the 1987 release of the movie “Matewan” directed by John Sayles. Ronnie was often described by many as a “gentle giant”, “a humble, special and kind man”, known for his large hands, dedication, integrity, and ability to impact the lives of those around him in a positive and loving way.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his father, Milton; his mother, Ollie; and several siblings.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 59 years, Gladys, his three children, Michael, Darryl, and Hope; his three grandchildren, Michael “Mikey”, Cody, and Emily; 7 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Wayne Stapleton of Michigan and Marvin Stapleton of Tennessee; and two sisters, Diane Shell and Jenny Hilton both of Virginia; many relatives, including in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, there will be no funeral service at this time. Instead, the family is planning a “Celebration of Ronnie’s life” service at a later date. The family is unable to accept in person condolences currently, please go to www.blueridgefuneralhome.com and leave any online condolences.

Blue Ridge Funeral Home and Crematorium, Beckley is honored to be serving the family.