Ronald Payne Todd

On March 26, 2025, Ronald “Ronnie” Payne Todd finished his earthly assignment and entered paradise where he is in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born January 14, 1943 in Newport News, Virginia and was the youngest of three children. Ronnie spent his entire life as a resident of Newport News and Hampton, Virginia. He was a proud graduate of Newport News High School class of 1963. Following high school Ronnie joined the United States Army where he would serve four years.

After honorably discharging from the Army in 1967, Ronnie began work at the Newport News Shipyard where he would spend the next 43 years as a sheet metal worker, ultimately earning him the title of Master Ship Builder. In 1973 he married Pamela Wheeler, and in 1980 the couple adopted their only son, Jason. Upon retiring from the shipyard in 2007, Ronnie spent his days volunteering with the Liberty Builders ministry at his church, Liberty Baptist, as well as working the welcome desk on Sunday mornings. Ronnie never met a stranger and enjoyed good conversation. He met regularly with a group of friends at Hardees on Big Bethel Road for years and had a special group of friends who met on Thursday afternoons for lunch. Ronnie also very much enjoyed attending sporting events, especially for his son and grandsons. When he couldn’t attend a game in person, he could often be found watching replays of college baseball and football games at his home.

Ronnie had a strong Christian faith and regularly attended church since his youth. He was a member of Ivy Memorial Baptist Church, and more recently Liberty Baptist Church. He loved his church family and found great joy not just in attendance on Sunday morning, but listening to sermons at home, playing praise and worship music and being part of men’s groups over the years.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Zachary T. Todd and Mamie L. Todd, and his sisters Janet T. Campbell and Kay T. Edwards. He is survived by his son Jason and his two grandchildren, Sean and Joel, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews all of whom meant so much to him. Family was very important to Ronnie, and he always kept in contact with family near and far, calling on birthdays or just to catch up. His greatest pride and joy was being Dad and P-Paw, and he excelled at both.

A service will be held at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia on April 28, 2025, at 11:30 AM. Memorial donations may be made to The Liberty Builder Ministry at Liberty Live Church, 1021 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666.

A funeral service for Ronald will be held Monday, April 28, 2025 at 11:30 AM at Liberty Baptist Church, 1021 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, Virginia 23666. Following the funeral service will be an interment with military honors at 2:00 PM at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Rd., Suffolk, Virginia 23434.