Ronnie Pannell

Ronnie Pannell, age 77, of Cherryville, NC went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Ronnie was born Tuesday, February 1, 1949 in Rutherford County to the late Dewey Pannell and Peggy Ward Pannell. He was a graduate of Chase High School, class of 1968 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Gardner-Webb University in 1971. Ronnie co-owned and operated Swifty’s Oil and Gas in Shelby for over forty-four years. He was an outdoorsman and an avid hunter and fisherman. Ronnie was a faithful member of Buffalo Baptist Church. His greatest joy and passion was taking care of his family. He was known by his grandchildren as “Big Papa” He will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nephew, Matthew Pannell; grandmother, Jessie Pannell and an aunt, Pauline Pannell.

Those left to honor his legacy include his loving wife of fifty-six years, Margie Pannell; daughter, Tammy Patterson (Tap) of Shelby; stepdaughter, Tina Kimbrell of Forest City; brother, Cosmo Pannell (Joni) of Dobbinsville; grandchildren, Courtney Grant (Justin), Dustin Patterson (Sarah), Alan Michael Bailey (Michelle); great grandchildren, Karleigh Patterson, Jagger Grant, Braydon Grant, Colt Patterson, Thomas Bailey, Tristyn Bailey and Gavin Bailey.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, September 9th at Buffalo Baptist Church with Reverend Scott Hardin and Reverend Mackey Turner officiating. Interment will follow at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 2:00 pm prior to the service at the church.

Memorial donations are requested to the Buffalo Baptist Church Building Fund, 108 Buffalo Church Road, Shelby, NC 28150.