The following is the obituary for my Uncle Ronald Bilbrey who recently passed away. I am reposting it here so it can be more accessible to everyone.
Ronald “Ron” Carlos Bilbrey, age 85, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2pm at West View Baptist Church located at 427 Laurel Avenue, Cookeville, TN.
Born February 23, 1941, he was the son of the late Johnnie Carlos Bilbrey and Lola Pearl Johnson Bilbrey in Monterey, TN.
Ron loved to play music and was a natural entertainer. He was an accomplished banjo and guitar player. He played professionally with Bobby Smith and the Boys from Shiloh, Bill Monroe, James Monroe, and Mac Wiseman, among others.
After 12 years on the road, Ron created the Country Scene Band made up of family and friends, where he played electric guitar and banjo for 20 years. He and his band were the face of the Veteran’s Building Saturday night dances in Cookeville for several years. They were a staple of the community, providing family-oriented entertainment and fun.
Later on Ron formed a bluegrass/gospel band called The Bilbreys. The family band, along with friends, entertained and ministered in the area for 20 plus years. Some career highlights include playing on stage of the Grand Ole Opry, having recorded music in the Smithsonian Institution, receiving the Uncle Jimmy Thompson Bluegrass Pioneer Award, and writing a song recorded by his favorite artist, Doyle Lawson.
Ron was a master mechanic, specializing in Volkswagen repair. Ron’s Auto Repair was on Jefferson Ave in Cookeville for many years. He then moved the business to a home garage until retirement. Then he jokingly said his job was to put a rear end in a recliner.
Ron served as a Deacon at University Heights Baptist Church for more than two decades. After its closing, he joined a new church plant, Living Light Church, where he continued to be a light for Jesus.
Ron is survived by his wife, Carolyn Ferrell Bilbrey, 2 sons Philip (Michelle) Bilbrey, and Jimmy (Lisa) Bilbrey, daughter Denise (Rodney) Faulkner; step-daughter, Linda (Tim) Gray; 8 grandchildren Jonathan (Nikki) Bilbrey, Jenny (Jason) Grider, Aaron Bilbrey, Josh Masters, Adam Bilbrey, Ross Faulkner, Tessa Faulkner, Jared Gray, and Jacob Gray; 12 great-grandchildren Jayden, Jaylen, Josie, Jaxon, Tobias, Aria, Jacob, Joseph, James, Chloe, Rose, and Raider; sister Elizabeth Tudor (Paul); sisters-in-law Notie Moser, Janet (Don) Bilbrey, and Shirley (Larry) Bilbrey; brothers-in-law Danny (Wanda) Ferrell, and Jimmy (Barbara) Ferrell; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and close friends.
In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his first wife of 60 years and mother of his children, Betty Jean Lewis Bilbrey, granddaughter Leigh Anne Eldridge, brothers Donald (Janet) Bilbrey, Doyle and wife Molly Sue Bilbrey, Larry (Shirley) Bilbrey, “Brother” Paul Tudor (Elizabeth); sisters-in-law Lucille and husband James Sparks, Hazel and husband Bill Wheeler, Addie Willene and husband Roy Roberson, and Dean (Andrew) Riddle; brothers-in-law Ralph Lewis, Harold (Barbara) Lewis, Mark Lewis, Edward and wife Vicki Lewis, and Gerald Ferrell.
Ron was kind to all — helping anyone he could. He always had a smile and a word of encouragement. While he made friends everywhere he went, he was devoted to his family. As husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, he loved with his whole heart.