Ralph Mitchell Jr.

Ralph Mitchell, a retired Army officer, Financial Advisor, and Servant Leader who resided in Whitman, MA, peacefully transitioned on March 11, 2025 at Massachusetts General Hospital following a relatively brief illness.
Ralph, a Georgia native, was born on April 23, 1955 at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was the first born for Ralph Mitchell, Sr. and Ocie Talley Mitchell and the first grandchild for his mother's parents, Logie & Etta Mae Talley.
Ralph's early education began in Germany during his father's overseas Army assignment. Ralph's love of the military began at an early age with him proudly wearing a child-size Army uniform and driving his own Army-branded toy jeep. Ralph continued his education in the Muscogee County (GA) schools, graduating from Baker High School in 1973 where he completed four years of Army ROTC. Following his high school graduation, Ralph attended Columbus State University, where he completed four years of Army ROTC. Ralph was actively involved in Student Union and Student Government while pursuing his undergraduate studies at the Turner School of Business. In 1977 Ralph received the Sojourner Truth Award for his excellence in ROTC and received his Bachelor's of Business Administration in Finance with a minor in Marketing.
Ralph began his career as an Army Officer at Ft. Benning, GA immediately following his college graduation, completing Airborne training before reporting to Ft. Ord, CA where Ralph completed Ranger training and would finish his active duty with the Army. Upon leaving the Army full-time, Ralph embarked on his business career in sales as an account executive with MeadWestvaco Paper Products while continuing as an active Army Reservist. Ralph would eventually retire from the military with a combination of 30 years of service, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Ralph's sales career continued with the Hershey Company and Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a division of Johnson & Johnson), during which time he relocated from California to Massachusetts. Ralph completed his MBA at Suffolk University Sawyer School of Business (Suffolk, MA). While completing his MBA Ralph was ranked #1356 out of 26,000 student competitors with USA Today's 1990 National Collegiate Investment Challenge. Ralph received a second master's degree with the completion of his Master's of Science in National Security & Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College (Carlisle, PA).
Next to the Army, Ralph's true calling was in the financial services sector. A Chartered Financial Consultant, Ralph was associated with Merrill Lynch and other brokerage firms before embarking on a 30-plus year career as an independent registered financial advisor with the founding of his own firm, Carthage Financial Group, LLC in 1992. Carthage was based in Braintree, MA at the time of his death, serving clients throughout the USA.
Ralph was a true servant leader who enjoyed lending his expertise to nonprofit, professional, and civic organizations. Among a number of volunteer associations, Ralph's past service included the Suffolk Board of Trustees; the Sawyer School of Business Graduate Alumni Association (twice elected as President); and ESAC Boston. Ralph was currently serving as Treasurer of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council (MCLC) and as a member of the Whitman MA Finance Committee. Ralph enjoyed every opportunity to educate people of all ages about personal financial management and was frequently a speaker to high school students, college students, civic groups, and religious groups throughout his career. In his spare time, Ralph enjoyed classic cars, history, plays, jazz music, and movies.
Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Ocie Mitchell, grandparents, several aunts and uncles, and a cousin. He is survived by his devoted, long-term significant other, Beverly Brady, of Whitman, MA; sister and brother-in-law, Darlene and Bill Scheiderich, of Davidsonville, MD; uncle, Retired Navy Chief Eddie Talley, of Virginia Beach, VA; and a host of cousins, aunts, close friends, and business associates. The family is grateful for the competent and caring medical teams that cared for Ralph during his inpatient stay at Mass General Hospital and South Shore Hospital.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 19, 5 - 8 PM at Chapman Funerals and Cremation, 98 Bedford Street, Bridgewater, MA 02324. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 20, at 10:45 AM at the Massachusetts National Military Cemetery, Connery Avenue in Bourne, MA.
Though flowers are appreciated, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Ralph's memory to Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council, Army Emergency Relief Fund, or your favorite charity.