Central High Principal Ronnie Devall

Ronnie Devall, 74, a life-long resident of Central, Louisiana, passed away on December 30, 2021 after a brave battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born on September 4, 1947. He graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana State University. He married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn, on August 18, 1967. He loved sports, traveling, playing golf, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He devoted his life to teaching and coaching at Park Forest Middle School, Central High School, and Broadmoor High School. 

He led Broadmoor to win two basketball state championships and was named Louisiana High School Coach of the Year in both 1985 and 1987. He was inducted into the Broadmoor High School Hall of Fame. He was an assistant basketball coach at Southeastern Louisiana University. After years of teaching and coaching, he became assistant principal at Lee High School.  Then, his career took him back to the place he loved most: Central High School, where he had been a student, basketball player, teacher, coach, parent, and principal. 

He served as principal at Central High School for 14 years. He was named East Baton Rouge Principal of the Year in 2004 and was a finalist for State Principal of the Year. 

He concluded his career as the assistant superintendent of the Central Community School System. 

In 2012, he was inducted into the Central High School Hall of Fame as someone who made a “significant impact” on Central High School. He knew how to build a team, whether on the court or in the classroom, and his passion and leadership made everyone around him better.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carolyn Devall; daughter Rodlyn McAdams; son Eric Devall and his wife Malana; Calvin Babin; grandchildren Madison McAdams and his wife Rebecca, Macy McAdams, Justin Babin, Garrison Devall, Jameson Devall, and John Hayes Devall; and niece Chereé Devall Brown. He was preceded in death by his father Eugene Devall, mother Florence Devall, brother James “Jimmy” Devall, and daughter Stacy Devall.

Visitation was from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 at Blackwater United Methodist Church. The funeral service was at 12 noon.  Graveside services followed at Blackwater United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Madison McAdams, Justin Babin, Garrison Devall, Justin Babin, Garrison Devall, Jameson Devall, Jay Devall, Bodi White, Sid Edwards, and Eric Kelly. Honorary pallbearers were Eric Devall, John Hayes Devall, and Calvin Babin.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caretakers from St. Joseph Hospice.