SirRonne Kazee - Obituary

irRonne Ali Kazee, (formally known as Ronald McClarin Smith), went home to be with the Lord on November 23, 2009. He was born on July 8, 1947 in Washington D.C. to the late Edward Lorenzo Smith and the late Lola Clementine Tolson-Smith. He was one of fourteen children born of this union. SirRonne was educated in the District of Columbia Public School System. Before completing his high school education, he enrolled in the Job Corps in Breckinridge Kentucky, majoring in electronics. He continued his education at George Mason University in Fairfax Virginia and the Prince George's Community College in Largo Maryland. On December 31, 1982, SirRonne married Paulette Yates. Of that union, a daughter was born, Rheena Kazee. SirRonne also had three other children. Prior to his current wife Paulette, he was married to the late Anetha Perry Smith. From that union, his eldest child, Vondell Smith was born. Kamala Smith and Just Kazee were born from prior relationships. One of SirRonne's favorite games a youth was Cowboys and Indians. He was always the Indian because of his complexion and became known as “Dirty Reds” which was later shortened to “Reds.” In his youth, SirRonne was beginning to form the opinions and philosophies of a man. He was both caring and compassionate towards others. He would give a meal to a complete stranger, or give a helping hand to a family members or friends. SirRonne had strong convictions about the Vietnam War, so much so that he took a leave of absence from his job with the Metropolitan Police Department and left his young wife and son to join the U.S. Army. He volunteered to go to Vietnam. SirRonne's working career spanned more than forty years, starting with his first job at the Potomac Electric Power Company, (PEPCO). He left PEPCO and joined the Metropolitan Police Department's family. He enjoyed law enforcement so much that he moved on to the Prince George's County Police Department. In that department, SirRonne rose from the bottom to become a Sergeant, later advancing to the rank of Lieutenant. After his P.G. Police retirement in 1995, SirRonne moved on to the Prince George's County School Board in the Security Department where he retired in August of 2009. As an adult, SirRonne was extremely concerned that he had to develop a personal relationship with God. His spiritual conviction led him to change his name from Ronald M. Smith to SirRonne Ali Kazee. As he put it, “The old was buried and the new was born.” To him, there was so much meaning in the name change. He stated: “It all came to me in a dream.” SirRonne was really a fun-loving guy at heart. He loved to dance to the “Oldies” music and read. Moreover, one could list numerous accolades, honors and tokens of appreciation that SirRonne received throughout his lifetime. None was more important to him than his acceptance by his peers and the many students he came to adore. To those students at Crossland Senior High School and Flowers Senior High School who knew and loved him, Mr. Kazee was extremely charitable. SirRonne believed that he possessed a ton of wisdom. To him, “Knowledge was power.” He let it be known that he wanted to live long enough to pass on all of his knowledge to his grandchildren, but he would share knowledge with any child that would listen. SirRonne was a loving father and husband. He really appreciated any and all opportunities to be involved in family activities with his wife, siblings, children and grandchildren. Although he was a strict disciplinarian, SirRonne truly loved all of his children equally. SirRonne had many future aspirations for his family, but God's plan was much larger. SirRonne leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Paulette; two sons, Vondell Smith and Just Kazee; two daughters, Kamala Smith and Rheena Kazee; seven grandchildren, Jasmine, Khalia, Kanaja, Kieren, Kai, Riyonna and SirRonne; one brother, Francis Smith and two sisters, Orsery Cordice and Marion Vanzego; mother-in-law Mary Yates; a special uncle, Thomas “Cookie” Jackson; and a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends. On Monday, November 23, 2009, the beloved husband of Paulette T. Kazee; father of Vondell L. and Kamala Smith, Rheena T. and Just A. Kazee; brother of Orsery L. Cordice, Marion Vanzego and Francis Smith. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to Sirronne's Life Celebration on Friday, December 4 from 12noon until service time at 1:00PM at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment private. Please sign guestbook at www.KalasFuneralHomes.com