Rev. Ronnie Estes

Rev. Ronnie Estes (James Ronald Estes, Sr.), pastor of Lake City Baptist Church, known to his many friends and family as Brother Ronnie, Preacher, and Pop, was healed of his battle with cancer and was peacefully ushered into the presence of his Lord and Savior surrounded by his family on June 4, 2022. 

Ronnie was born on April 17, 1947 in Laurel, MS.  He graduated from R.H. Watkins High School in Laurel, and attended Mississippi College in Clinton, MS.  Having been called into ministry, he then attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, completing his Master of Theology degree in 1972.  Ronnie served as a devoted pastor for over 50 years in Ellisville, Mississippi, Bogalusa, Louisiana, and West Point, Mississippi before moving to Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1981.  His passion was ministering to the needs of people and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The joy of Ronnie’s life was also found through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who affectionately knew him as Pop.  Ronnie loved to laugh and joke, never met a stranger, and made a friend for life wherever he went. 

Left to cherish his memory are his son, James Ronald Estes, Jr. (“Jamie”) and Shem of Fayetteville, AR and his daughter, Jennifer Lynn Foote of Gonzales, LA; five grandchildren: Mackenzie Lynn Turton and Trey Thompson of Gonzales, LA; Hunter James Estes and Corie of Fayetteville, AR; Hayden Andrew Estes of Fayetteville, AR; Blaise Alan Foote of Gonzales, LA; and Emma Claire Estes, of Fayetteville, AR; two great-grandchildren, McKenna Elise Thompson and Kenleigh Claire Thompson; his brother, Dr. Clifford B. Estes, Jr. and Becky of Shreveport, LA; nieces, nephews, a host of friends, and his special friend, caregiver, and extended family members, Candace Moseley and Gene and Tinley, of Lake Charles, LA.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Hardy Estes, and his parents, Clifford B. Estes, Sr. and Annie Lois Estes.          

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 7, at Lake City Baptist. The Rev. Bobby Ready will officiate. Burial will be in Consolata Cemetery under direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4:00PM until 8:00 PM on Monday at Johnson Funeral Home on Lake St. and from  9:00 AM until time of services Tuesday at the church.

The family would also like to give special thanks to Dr. Michael Broussard, and his team of wonderful medical care providers.