Ralph Milton Wilderson

Ralph Milton Wilderson

1933 - 2026

Ralph Milton Wilderson passed away in his home on February 26, 2026, in Destrehan, Louisiana surrounded by family, friends and his beloved wife, Joyce Wilderson. Born September 14, 1933, in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised in Lutcher, Louisiana. Son of the late Frank B. Wilderson, Sr. and Valentean Harper Wilderson. Ralph was 92 years old.

Ralph's early education started in Lutcher where he attended Cypress Grove for both elementary and high school. While attending Cypress Grove, Ralph played Center for the Cypress Grove Bobcats, the school's football team. Ralph attended Southern University in Baton Rouge and spent one year toward his higher education before joining the United States Airforce. He was a Liaison Officer in the United States Airforce from 1956-60 and returned to Southern University where he ultimately earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies. Ralph went on to obtain a Master of Education in 1975 from his beloved Southern University. He began his elaborate teaching career in Vacherie, Louisiana at Magnolia High School with the St. James Parish School Board in 1963. After marrying his beloved wife, Joyce Wright, Ralph joined the St. Charles Parish School District where he matriculated from teaching at Mary McCloud Bethune High School to teaching Social Studies at Destrehan High School where he started the Black Culture Club with his colleague. Ralph eventually became Assistant Principal and then Co-Principal of Destrehan High School. He also served as the Principal of Harry M. Hurst Junior High School. In 1990 Ralph retired from the St. Charles Parish School District and the became an educational consultant with Archery and Archery School Education Associates until 1994. Ralph also served on the St. Chrles Parish Civil Service Board. He was also a member of the New Sarpy Civic Association, a Black Organization. Ralph and his wife Joyce built their home in Ormond Estates in 1987 and successfully helped in integrating their subdivision's gulf club. Most important to Ralph was his membership at Lutcher Chapel United Methodist Church.

Among his other accomplishments, Ralph received the Southern Alumni Association Award, the L.S.U. Writing Project Award, Principal of the Year Award for outstanding leadership in the St. Charles Principal Association, the Middle School MGAP Principal Bellsouth Foundation Award from St. Charles Civil Service Board. He organized the St. Charles Mentoring Program with Phi Delta Kappa and was awarded the Monte M. Leman Award from the Louisiana Civil Service League. Ralph maintained his membership with the American Legion over the years.

Ralph was a dutiful worker. While in high school he rose early every morning to transport workers to the sugarcane field. He would return in time to attend classes, practice football and ultimately returned to pick up those he had transported early that morning. Ralph maintained this work ethic throughout his high school experience. In light of all of Ralph's honorable lifetime accomplishments, he will be best remembered for being a humble member of the community who was always ready to serve in any capacity if he was helping others. Ralph was immensely respected because he led with an open heart and treated everyone with the same dignity and respect that he received from everyone he encountered. Ralph was the humble voice of reason for all that had the opportunity to interact with him. He had a beautiful spirit of guidance and a genuine way of supporting everyone, making him a role model to his family, friends, community and church. He made a special impact on the lives of Joyce's younger cousins while living in New Sarpy where he loved to take them crabbing and mentored them into adulthood. A faithful servant of God, Ralph traveled thirty miles every Sunday to Lutcher United Methodist Church never missing a Sunday. As a dedicated Methodist, Ralph was tasked with opening the doors of the church and turning on the lights and heat while awaiting Sunday worshipers. Ralph practiced and read the selected scripture for the congregation. He once sang in the choir and assisted with Vacation Bible School. He never took credit for his dedication to helping newly assigned pastors transition to their assignment but graciously welcomed them as if they were always family.

Ralph enjoyed traveling with his wife. He was most happy when he and Joyce opened their home to family and friends for holidays, or just to whom passed through for good conversation, laughter and Ralph's favorite, a homemade meal by Joyce. Ralph was an avid Southern University Jaguar fan and attended the Bayou Classic before it held such a popular name. Ralph was a Jaguar season ticket holder who loved traveling to all the football games, especially to the away games on the bus with special friends who were like family to him. Ralph left this life as he lived it, with poise and dignity. In his last days the voices of Joyce and his caregivers singing "yes, Jesus love me..." brought him great comfort.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Joyce Wright Wilderson. He is also survived by his siblings Althea Armstrong (Merrell), Norman Wilderson (Ella) and Lorraine Clement and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Frank B. Wilderson, Sr. and Valentean Harper Wilderson, his brothers, Frank B. Wilderson, Jr. (Ida-Lorraine, deceased), and Thaddeus W. Wilderson (Beverly); his father and mother in law, Walter Wright, Sr. and Neotha Wright Norris; his sister and brother in-law, Walter Wright, Jr. ("Tar") and Emelda Cammon Wright; and Delores Wright Price and Johnny Price and his great nephew, Hunter LaGrange.

Relatives and friends of the family, Pastors, officers and member of Lutcher Chapel United Methodist Church and all surrounding Churches, also employees of St. Charles Parish School Board and Post #509 Furlough Robenson American Legion of Ama, Louisiana are invited to attend the Funeral Services at 11:00am on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at St. Charles United Methodist Church, 1905 Ormond Boulevard, Destrehan, Louisiana 70047. Rev. Willie Laws-Officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00am until the time of service at the above-named Church. Interment St. Charles Borremeo Cemetery and Mausoleum, 13396 River Rd., Destrehan, Louisiana 70047. Final Arrangements entrusted to Patrick H. Sanders Funeral Home & Funeral Directors, LLC. 605 Main Street, Laplace, LA 70068. 985-359-1919. "Providing Care & Comfort is Our Highest Mission."