Deacon Ronald "Ronnie" Bordley

     Ronald Bordley, affectionately known as Ronnie, was born December 5, 1956 in Dover, Delaware. He was the youngest of eight children born to the late Amos Bordley, Sr. and the late Martha Burris Bordley. Ronald peacefully departed this life on February 4, 2026 after a long illness.  

     Ronald received his early education through the Absecon and Atlantic City School Systems. After leaving high school, Ronald went into the workforce as a shipment packer for Lenox China in New Jersey. He also worked in maintenance at Atlantic City’s Sands Hotel and Casino. 

     In the late 80s, Ronald found his true passion as a mason, in which he began a long and successful career. Ronald’s talents as a mason were employed at several companies, including Bordley Masonry and Construction, W. Kimball Construction, and his own company of R&B Masonry. Ronald’s stone, brick, block, and concrete work can be found all over the state of Delaware. Ronald often drove his family around various neighborhoods to show his work. Indeed, Ronald became a master builder both literally and figuratively. 

     In 1987, Ronald moved back to Delaware to stay with his brother, the late Bishop Curtis I. Bordley. Ronald’s first church service in Delaware was a three-day shut-in. Ronald later recalled the desire to walk out of the shut-in on the first night, but he stayed. That same year, he received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost at Jesus Love Temple in Milford 

     While attending Jesus Love Temple, Brother Ronald met and was smitten by Sister Deborah Macklin. On October 20, 1990, Brother Ronald and Sister Deborah married in Milford, DE. They were united in marriage for thirty-five years until his passing. Together, they enjoyed watching football, especially the Philadelphia Eagles. 

     Throughout the years, Ronald was a faithful member of Jesus Love Temple and, later, Greater Love Temple. Ronald was president of the usher board, worked the sound system, and was elevated as a Deacon in the church. Deacon Ronald’s favorite scripture was Proverbs 15:3: “[t]he eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Deacon Ronald was faithful in his work for the Lord until his illness. 

     Deacon Ronald liked to eat good food and thought himself to be a sweet potato pie expert. He had a special bond with his brothers and sisters being the baby boy (or as he would like to call himself the “youngest ” boy). 

     In addition to his parents, Amos Bordley and Martha Burris Bordley, Deacon Ronald was preceded in death by his son, Ronald Akiem Graves; his grandson, Xavier Bordley; his brothers: Joseph Harris, Bishop Curtis I. Bordley, and Leonard Bordley (Melfrida); his sister, Margie Hudson and his Goddaughter, Tamela Carroll. 

     He leaves to cherish his life and memory his wife, Deborah Bordley; five children: Rodney McCall (Lucia) of Pleasantville, NJ, Kareem Bordley of Fort Wayne, IN, Gerald Bordley of Smyrna, DE, Dorronda Bordley of Wilmington, DE, and Aaron Bordley of Richmond, VA; daughter-in-law: Nakisha Graves; thirteen grandchildren: Bryannah Atkins, Nyasia Graves, Arquilah McCall, A’Nasia McCall, Unique Graves, Rodney Jayden McCall, Desire Graves, Makayla Bordley, Heaven Graves, Nevaeh Graves, Adeline, Gerald, Jr., and Aliza Bordley; five great-grandchildren: Shahara, Ah’Lani, Emory, Analeiya, and Ah’Ryyah; four sisters: Catherine Harvey (Lewis) of Delaware, Brenda Johnson (Joseph) of New Jersey, Lillie Mae Johnson (Ronald) of New Jersey, Lakisha Cooper (James) of Georgia; two brothers Amos Bordley of New Jersey and Denzell Bordley (Karen) of Delaware; two sisters-in-law: Vickie Harris and Louise Bordley of Delaware; four Godchildren: Johnda Carroll, Shannon Williams, Charity Williams, and Jayla Wilson Eddy, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles. cousins, friends, and church family. 

     A funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 20, 2026 at Union Baptist Church, 883 Lincoln Street, Dover, DE 19904 where there will be a viewing from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Friday.  Burial will follow in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.  Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com. 

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