Beverly Ragsdale

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Beverly Webb Ragsdale, beloved wife, mother, and Nona who entered into eternal rest Thursday, October 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She lived 84 wonderful years, many in Columbus, Georgia, with her post-retirement years spent in Hamilton, Georgia.

A memorial service for Beverly will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Striplin Terrace Methodist Church, 4170 Striplin Terrace Columbus, Georgia 31909. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, Georgia 31907.

Beverly was born December 7, 1940, in Trion, Georgia, daughter of Margaret Pieretti Webb Bennett and James Wesley Edwin Webb. She was a 1958 honor graduate of LaFayette High School in Lafayette, Georgia. Upon graduation, she enrolled at Young Harris College where she earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1960. She continued her education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education from Georgia Southern College in 1962, and later a Master’s Degree of Education from Columbus State University. During her time at Georgia Southern, she was crowned Miss Statesboro claiming both the Miss Congeniality award and the Evening Gown competition. That year, Beverly represented the city of Statesboro in the Miss Georgia Pageant. While attending GSU, Beverly met the love of her life, Charles, and the two were married in 1962 at LaFayette First Methodist Church. During the early years of their marriage, they lived in Jackson, Griffin, and Douglas, Georgia and finally settled in Columbus, where they resided until moving to Hamilton upon retirement.

Beverly began her teaching career in Griffin, at Spalding County Junior High School in the fall of 1962. After two years in this position, she taught in Harris County at Cataula Elementary then finished her teaching career at Blanchard Elementary, Columbus, where she taught fifth grade for 28 years. In her final year of teaching, she was selected Teacher of the Year in 1997, representing Blanchard Elementary. She was a dedicated and loving elementary school teacher to her students at Blanchard and Harris County.

Beverly was an active member of Striplin Terrace Methodist Church where she sang in the Chancel Choir. She loved music from an early age, learning to play the piano and then the clarinet in the LaFayette High School marching band. She was a lover of the arts, through voice and ballet. Beverly was active in the Chipley Woman’s Club in Pine Mountain, Beta Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, King’s Gap Chapter and Oglethorpe Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Charles F. Ragsdale; son, Charles Gregory Ragsdale (Hope), daughter, Susan Ragsdale Powell (Tracy); grandchildren, Kylie Powell Moye (Bryce), Carson Powell (Emily), Grayson Ragsdale, Holland Ragsdale; great-grandchild, Margaret Jean Moye; brother-in-law Gene Ragsdale (Patricia), sister-in law Doris East Ragsdale (Richard); nieces and nephews, William Timothy Webb, Jr. (Barbie), Marcus Webb (Cannon), Lori Ragsdale Bonds, Wendy Ragsdale DeCoste (Wayne), Scott Ragsdale; great-nieces and nephews, Aubrey Moore, Barrett and Brice Bonds, Stephanie Allen, Drew Allen (Melanie), Ava Webb, Mason Webb, Abigail Allen; half-sisters, Keila Webb Beaird and Teresa Webb Richards; and step-brother, Terry Webb.

Beverly was an avid gardener and was known for her beautiful day lilies, native azaleas, and hydrangeas. Volunteering at Callaway Gardens offered her many opportunities to be outside, always learning about plants and gardening. She willingly shared her plants and cuttings with anyone ready to dig one up from her landscape or take one home in a clay pot. Sewing heirloom clothing for her grandchildren, when they were young, brought her great joy. She was a homemaker and lover of her husband and best friend, Charles, and her family. She was especially proud of her 4 grandchildren and adored her beloved Silky Terrier, Roxie.