Obituary of Ronnie Levi Grier

Ronnie Levi Grier was the oldest of four children born to the late Willie Lue Grier on November 17, 1949. Ronnie grew up in Camden, New Jersey, and attended public schools where he graduated from Pyne Poynt Junior High and then Camden High School in 1968. He played on the basketball team at both schools. He would attend Shaw University for a term and later would enroll in Glassboro State College in New Jersey (now known as Rowan University). He was a substitute teacher, bus driver and held other jobs over the course of his life. During his early years, he was a member of Little Rock Baptist Church. Later during his adult life, he became a member of The House of Believers Ministry. Ronnie was honorably discharge from the United States Marine Corp. Ronnie was blessed with several talents. At an early age, he exhibited an interest in music by stroking a broom handle as if he was playing the guitar. Ronnie attended a local music school in Camden and received music and guitar lessons until his instructor informed his aunt that they had taken him as far as they could and recommended advanced lessons for him. Ronnie could play any genre of music but his passion was for jazz. Initially, Ronnie often played at the family’s home church (Little Rock Baptist Church) during” Back Home Hour” and other children's programs. While in Junior High School, Ronnie formed a jazz group. For many years, rehearsals were held in the living room of the family home. While in high school, the jazz group started playing at local venues, and other special events. Later the group played around Philadelphia and Atlantic City in various small clubs, bars, and social events. Ronnie continued to play guitar with other music groups and his church. In addition to being an excellent guitarist, Ronnie’s other talent was art. He worked with watercolors and oil painting. While in high school, Ronnie painted a nativity scene on the mirror mounted on the family’s living room wall-- (that painting remains today in the home of his sister). He enjoyed drawing. He would spend his time sketching other musicians: BB King, Aretha Franklin, Muhammad Ali were the last three he sketched. Ronnie enjoyed being present at family gatherings. He always reached out to them--checking up on family and friends by calling and visiting. Ronnie was known for sprinkling salt/pepper on everything around him--but his food which always caused some stirring discussion as to how he could miss the food and make a mess. Ronnie’s transformation took place on July 15, 2021, at 5:23 pm. He was surrounded by family members and close family friends at Cooper Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. Ronnie was loved and will be greatly missed. Fondly remembering Ronnie is his son, Ronnie McPherson of Camden, NJ, and his daughter Alethia Mcpherson-Hudson, a son in law Walter Hudson of Camden, NJ; Grandchildren Enad’a McPherson (Zariah & Yasir Arthur), Tawanda Sarah Mcpherson (Jayceon McPherson), Helen McPherson ( Samirah Turner & Saniyah Roberts ), Jer’rome McPherson, Barbara McPherson (Al-Quan, Al-Niheem Gordon and Jay’mar Jenkins), Jawan Hudson (Ayanna Hudson ), Kevin Dennis and Na’Quan McPherson who were affectionately known by him as “pop-pop babies” of Camden, New Jersey; two sisters, Ophelia Grier of Washington, DC and Arlene Grier of Camden, New Jersey, one brother, Alvin Grier of Camden, New Jersey; His lifelong soulmate and beloved companion, Peggy McPherson, and; A host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.