James Earl Ralph Sr.
- Ralph
Published 9:28 pm Tuesday, August 8, 2017
James Earl Ralph Sr. departed this life peacefully at his home in Suffolk on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. He was born to the late Minnie Lee Ralph Whitaker in Whaleyville on Oct. 10, 1942. James was preceded in death by his stepfather, Clinton Whitaker, and his sister, Mary Ralph Goodman.
James attended T.S. Cooper Elementary School in Gates County, N.C., and East Suffolk High School in Suffolk. He loved all aspects of agriculture and became a licensed Registered Pesticide Technician with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
He joined New Mount Joy C.O.G.I.C. and attended the 8 a.m. service faithfully.
James will forever be remembered by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 53 years, Virginia Ralph; a daughter, Sharyn Welch (Chester), of Suffolk; a son, James Earl Jr., of Gainesville; a granddaughter, Leslie Denise; a great-grandson, Nigel Layne Jr., of Suffolk; two uncles, Peter Ralph (Susie), of Hampton, and Vernon Ralph (Janice), of Suffolk; a brother-in-law, Raymond Goodman Sr. of Suffolk; two nieces, the Rev. Patricia Goodman and Belinda Brown of Suffolk; a nephew, Raymond Goodman Jr., of Virginia Beach; a host of cousins, relatives and friends; and his beloved Boston Terrier, Belle.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, at New Mount Joy Family Worship Center. He will be laid to rest in Nansemond-Suffolk Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.