Profile Text
Birth Name: Ronald Wayne Van Zant
Date of Birth: January 15, 1948
Place of Birth: Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Date of Death: October 20, 1977
Place of Death: Gillsburg, Mississippi, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, small amounts of Dutch, Irish, and Scottish
Ronnie Van Zant was an American singer. He was the lead singer and primary lyricst, and a founding member, of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
He was the son of Marion Virginia and Lacy Austin Van Zant. Ronnie was married to Judy Seymour, until his death. He had a daughter, Tammy, a musician, with his former wife Nadine Inscoe; and a daughter with Judy.
Ronnie’s paternal grandfather was George Newton “Newt” Van Zant/Vanzant (the son of George Newton Van Zant and Susan Rebecca Campbell). Ronnie’s grandfather George was born in Kings Ferry, Nassau County, Florida. Ronnie’s great-grandfather George was born in Kings Ferry, the son of William Martin Van Zant/Vanzant and Lavinia Blackburn. Ronnie’s great-grandmother Susan was born in Jesup, Wayne County, Georgia, the daughter of John Clark Campbell and Elmira/Almira Elizabeth Lane.
Ronnie’s paternal grandmother was Florence Nona Peeples (the daughter of Isham Peeples and Amanda Brown). Florence was born in Kingsland, Camden County, Georgia. Isham was born in Camden County, the son of Isham Peeples and Mary Norton. Ronnie’s great-grandmother Amanda was born in Camden County, the daughter of George Jackson Brown and Mary Jane Brazell.
Ronnie’s maternal grandfather was Carroell Vern Hicks (the son of James David Hicks and Julia/Julie Marie Waters). Carroell was born in Medulla, Polk County, Florida. James was born in Medulla, the son of James J. Hicks and Mary Ann M. Durden. Ronnie’s great-grandmother Julie was born in Polk County, the daughter of Joshua E. Mizell Waters and Eliza Velany Wallace.
Ronnie’s maternal grandmother was Frances Adeline Leonard (the son of Guy Huntley Leonard and Mildred Hubert Ingham). Frances was born in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. Guy was born in Jacksonville, the son of Franklin P. Leonard and Ruby Louise Morrow. Mildred was born in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, the daughter of James C. Ingham and Kate Herbert Spink.
Sources: Genealogies of Ronnie Van Zandt – https://www.geni.com https://www.findagrave.com