Rual Yarbrough

Rual Yarbrough, 80, passed away early Tuesday morning in Florence. Known and beloved by many, Rual was ranked among the finest bluegrass musicians in the world. He played banjo and sang on dozens of albums, including many of his own, and also was well respected for his talent in building and repairing instruments. Virtually every musician in the Shoals area has been influenced in some way by him. As a family friend so accurately put it, "Everyone who has ever picked up a stringed instrument has lost a great man." The family rests in the assurance that he is worshipping his Lord with some awesome bluegrass right now.
Far greater than his passion for music was his passion for Christ, which Rual was eager to share with all those he knew. One of his favorite songs, "You've Got to Put Jesus First," also was the motto that he repeated often and tried to live by. His kindness and compassion touched the lives of too many to count, and his family was his top priority.
Rual was preceded in death by his parents, Ottis and Myrtle Yarbrough, and his brother, Thomas Edwin Yarbrough. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Zora Jean Yarbrough; daughters, Kathy Brazelton (Joe) and Janet Kirk (Tony); stepdaughter, Julie York; grandchildren, Amy Brazelton Little (Matthew) and Anna Beth Kirk Rose (Matthew), William Kirk, Jonathan, Jennifer and Jeanabeth York; sisters, Jean Tate and Ruth Johnson (Bill); brother, Adrian Yarbrough (Sandra); great-granddaughter, Maggie Little; and first wife and mother of his children, Mabeth Jones.
Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. Friday at Colbert Memorial Chapel, with funeral services immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, Rual's wish was that donations be made to his favorite charities, Salvation Army and Feed the Children.