Ronald Lorenzo "Porky" Sheffield, 65, of Jacksonville (longtime Palatka resident), entered the sunset of life on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at St. Vincent's Medical Center Riverside, Jacksonville. A native of Palatka, he was the son of David Sheffield and Etta Bell (Brown) Sheffield, born on Monday, December 8, 1952. He was educated in the Putnam County School District and a graduate of Palatka Central High School. He was a member of Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and served as an Usher and sang with M.I.N. (Men Infiltrating Neighborhoods) ministry group. After relocating, he attended Soul Winning Temple, Green Cove Springs with his wife. He was a former City of Palatka Public Works Department employee and previously a Merchant Seaman. In addition to his parents, Ronald was preceded in eternal rest by his brother, John Bell Sheffield.

He leaves to cherish his memories: devoted wife, Nicole Nichols Sheffield, Jacksonville; sons, Reginald (Amanda) Sheffield, Gainesville; Ronald Sheffield, Jr., Norristown, PA; Tim Sheffield, Jacksonville; daughters Roniqua Sheffield, Tallahassee; Crystal Sheffield, Palatka; Lanel Sheffield-Hardy, New York; sister, Shirley Sheffield; raised as a sister, Patsy Lherisson, both of Orange Park; step-children, Rashawn Walker, Orange Park; Quieron Hunter, and Tianna Nichols, both of Jacksonville; 18 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Janie Nichols, Orange Park; grandmother-in-law; Essie Mae Houston, Pier Station; sisters-in-law, Sabrina Houston, Natasha Johnson, both of Orange Park; brother-in-law, Jered (Carol) Nichols, Clarksville, TN; aunts Geraldine Longmire, Lovie Mae Williams; a host of nieces and nephews, including special niece, Beverly (Wendell) Purifoy and special nephew, Rondell Sheffield; special cousins, Debra (Chester) Austin, Check Longmire, Minister Tony (Ruby) Hayes; special friends, Dea. Jerry Burns and Teddy Brown; and a host of caring relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m., Friday, September 14 and the Celebration of Life Service will be at 12 noon, Saturday, September 15 at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Pastor Kevin Lockett, Soul Winning Temple, Green Cove Springs, is the eulogist. Rev. Anthony Q. Robinson, Sr., pastor of Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, presiding.