Ronald Winans

Ronald Winans (June 30, 1956 - June 17, 2005), also known as Ron Winans, was born the second of 10 children to David and Delores Winans. He was part of "The Winans," which consisted of Ron and his brothers Marvin, Carvin and Michael. The Winans were discovered by contemporary gospel pioneer, singer/songwriter/producer Andrae Crouch. They released their first album in 1981, entitled Introducing The Winans; with this release the world would become familiar with the name "Winans," which is now synonymous with contemporary gospel. Ronald also had a thriving career as a solo artist, recording a series of CDs called "Ron Winans Family & Friends," and numbered I-V, each of which contained at least one song that became a smash hit, such as the extremely popular and encouraging "Stand," which featured Donnie McClurkin on lead vocals, and "But God," on which Ron's younger brother BeBe Winans (Benjamin) did an impassioned and deeply moving job on lead vocals.

In 1997, Ronald, who had always had weight problems, suffered a massive heart attack, and because of much prayer experienced a miraculous recovery after the doctors had all but given him up on him. In May and June 2005, Ronald was admitted to Harper Hospital for observation after the doctors discovered that he was retaining an abnormal amount of fluid in his body. This time, however, things did not go as well, and on June 16, 2005, the doctors announced that they did not feel Ron would make it through the night. He did make it past midnight, but Ron Winans died peacefully early the next morning (June 17) due to heart complications, just two weeks shy of his 49th birthday. The entire family had gathered at Harper Hospital in Detroit to be with Ronald during his final moments.

In January 2005, what would turn out to be Ron Winans' final CD was released, Ron Winans Family & Friends V: A Celebration, which was recorded live at Greater Grace in Detroit, Michigan. Priscilla "CeCe" Winans, his baby sister dedicated her 2005 album Purified to him.