Marcellus Channing

Ronnie Gaffney was born on January 31, 1929, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, to Henry and Hallie Gaffney.  He was baptized at an early age and was a member at Westside First Baptist Church, Idabel, Oklahoma. Later, in 2016, Ronnie united with Rebecca Baptist Church, Idabel, Oklahoma, where he remained a member until his passing.

Ronnie enjoyed an interesting life.  He began dancing as a teenager and entered his professional career as a Dance Teacher and Choreographer.  As his fame began to flourish, he adopted his stage name "Marcellus Channing".  Marcellus has danced from the East Coast to the West Coast with his beautiful Dance Partner, Gail. He and Gail danced with some of the best dancers in the United States.  Marcellus moved to Idabel, Oklahoma, in the early 1980s to be close to his sister, the late Mrs. Willie C. Scott. After moving here, he started a school teaching kids to learn dancing.  He taught all forms and styles of dancing, including Swing, Ballet, Tango, Cha-Cha, Salsa, Waltz, Jazz, Rumba, Samba, Mambo, Hip-Hop, and many more.  If you think that his teaching dance lessons ended when he became a resident at Hill Nursing Home; think again. He would teach anyone with 'feet" to dance to the "beat"!  Dancing was the second love of his life.  He always put God first.

Marcellus was preceded in death by his son, parents, and his sister, Mrs. Willie C. Scott.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his brother, Raymond Gaffney, and Sister-In-Law, Pasadena, California, Cousins, and a host of friends who referred to him humbly by his nickname, "Pinkie".

His Homegoing Celebration will be Friday, July 29, at 3:00 PM, at Nunley's Funeral Home, 3 NW Bois D'Arc, Idabel, Oklahoma.

Interment will follow at Williamston's Cemetery, Idabel, Oklahoma.