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Vernon Ragsdale Obituary
He is a veteran of World War II and served in the China-Burma-India theater. He retired from farming at the age of 85, reluctantly giving up his passion for raising cattle. He also held a second full-time job at the former Rochester Button Co. in McKenney and retired from there after 22½ years of service.
Mr. Ragsdale was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 49 years, Lillie Coley Ragsdale, with whom he nurtured six loving daughters.
He is survived by all six daughters, Kathryn Gilliam (Linwood) of Pikesville, Md., Janice Byrd of Upper Marlboro, Md., Marguerita Ragsdale of Washington, D.C., Yvonne Nichols (Franklin) of Spotsylvania, Va., Marion Ragsdale of Woodbury, Minn., and Ursula Powell (James) of Glen Allen, Va.; one faithful sister, Queen Ragsdale of Washington, D.C.; a loving friend, Caledonia Streat of Petersburg, Va.; five grandchildren, Linda Bembury (Jeffrey), Derrick Gilliam (Fawn), Debbie Gilliam, Donnette Gilliam and Karin Chisley (Darius); eight great-grandchildren, Kurt Bembury, Brandi Gilliam, Carmen Gilliam, Derek Gilliam, Mya Gilliam, Ciara Gilliam, Amber Reid and Kayla Chisley; one great-great-grandson, Christian Bembury; one sister-in-law, Viola Coley of Baltimore; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Mr. Ragsdale is also survived by a close and supportive friend, Thomas Blackwell of Petersburg, Va., who was his regular partner at checkers for many years, and who, with his wife Evelyn, faithfully visited during the several years of his declining health. He also received strong support, especially during his illness, from Deacon James Peterson and Minister Sarah Blackwell of the Big Bethel Baptist Church.
Mr. Ragsdale was well-supported during his confinement by Care Advantage Inc. Special thanks is extended to his primary care nurses, Katie Stokes, Gloria James, Florence Whittaker and Carolyn Rosser, and to Faye Doyle and other nurses who supported Mr. Ragsdale during his illness.
Funeral services will be held at noon Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, at the Big Bethel Baptist Church, McKenney, Va., with the Rev. Anthony Maclin of Upper Marlboro, Md., great-nephew of Mr. Ragsdale, officiating. Dr. Arlester Newsome Jr., pastor-emeritus of Big Bethel Baptist Church, will deliver the eulogy. Interment will be in the Dinwiddie Memorial Park, Dinwiddie. The family will receive friends at the residence, phone (804) 478-4679. The body may be viewed at the funeral home and at the church Wednesday, one hour prior to the funeral service.
Funeral arrangements by the W.L. Fields Funeral Home Inc., 10814 Doyle Blvd., McKenney, Va., (804) 478-4811.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Vernon Ragsdale
November 14, 2009
Ursula, Mareurita and Family
Please accept my sincere heartfelt sympathies in the loss of your Father. I only learned of his passing in the last several minutes. I regret that I wan unable to at least be with you all those few days ago.
I'm certain that your Father will be mised but he will live on in wonderful memories.
May God be with each of you and your entire family.
Charles D. Chambliss, Jr.
Leo Chambliss
November 14, 2009
To Yvonne and Family, my prayers to you and the family. He was a great man and raised great family of girls.
November 11, 2009
My prayers go out to all the family
with my deepest sympathy.
Bless you all:
Cleve Richie
Vilma Lundy Crenshaw
November 10, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Carolyn Goodwyn Birchette
November 10, 2009
To the Ragsdale Girls,
I acknowleged you as I did because that is how you were and are still remembered in our home town and church community. My prayers and sympathy are with you as you grieve the death of your father. I am so thankful for having the opportunity to see your father one more time before his death. To see him at peace, in his own home and surrounded by the love of family and friends. Your fathers' memories will always be in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. May the Peace of the Lord be with you and your family always.
November 10, 2009
To Marguerita and Family,
Keep strong and may God bless you and your family.
Charlotte Lewis-McKenzie, Merrick, NY
Toney Rosado
November 10, 2009
Ursula and Family,
May God comfort you and your family during this difficult time and I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Sorrowfully submitted,
Wilbert & Thelma Coleman
November 10, 2009
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Lawrenza Goodwyn-Hunter
November 9, 2009
To the Ragsdale daughters: We express to all of you our deepest sympathy and we send you our love. May you find comfort from the memories from the long years he shared with you.
From: Lawrenza Gooodwyn Hunter, Otis Taylor & Family
Jean Vaughan
November 9, 2009
To Marguerita and Family,
May God comfort and keep you in His care during this time of bereavement.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ada B. & William Goodwyn, Jr.
November 9, 2009
You have our deepest sympathy.
Janice Goodwyn Alridge
November 9, 2009
My condolences to the Family. It was always a joy to see your father at church when he came and I always made sure to speak to him. You are in my prayers as you go thru this trying time. Be thankful for all those wonderful years you had him here and know you'll be together again some day.
Angela Goldring
November 9, 2009
Our deepest condolences to the family. Our prayers are with you all. Peace and Blessings.
John and Angela Goldring
Bernard King
November 8, 2009
My condolences to the Family. My Brother also served in the China-Burma-India Theater and I'm sure he would want me to acknowledge Mr Ragsdale's passing.My thoughts are with you.
Linda Faye Doyle
November 6, 2009
Dear Ragsdale Daughters,
I was so sorry to learn of the passing of my "little friend". I have so many great memories of the time we spent together. All of you girls were so good to your father and he was so proud of each of you. He will be deeply missed but find comfort in your memories and each other.
Our love to you all at this time.
Faye Doyle, Conard and Trevor
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