Sherman L. Ragland, Sr.

Colonel Sherman L. Ragland (ret.), of Silver Spring, Maryland, was a pioneer in social work. During the 1960s, he was the first person the military sent to graduate school to become a social worker, earning his MSW at The Catholic University of America. He was responsible for transitioning social work to its own specialty in the Medical Service Corps. While stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, he told the executive director of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) at the time, that in the military, social work operated under the auspices of psychiatry and recommeded that it operate separately. NASW’s executive director wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Army and after several conversations with the Secretary, social work was uncoupled from psychiatry as far as it being the dominant profession, and around 1973 in the military, social work began to stand on its own.

On July 10, 2024, Sherman Ragland, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, father-in-law, husband, and friend, passed away at Brightview Senior Living in Crofton, Maryland. His last day was very peaceful, surrounded by family, listening to some of his favorite music including his favorite song, “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. He was 90. A memorial service for family and friends was held at Beall Funeral Home on August 2, 2024, in Bowie, Maryland. Internment will occur at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

He was born in North Kenova, Ohio, on December 13, 1933, to Ernest and Hortense Jones Ragland. Colonel Ragland attended Central State University, through the ROTC program and athletic scholarships, lettering in football, basketball and track. Upon graduating in 1956, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He later earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. A retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel, he served three commanding officers in charge of Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 1968-1976, where he pioneered several U.S. Army Social Work and Army Medical Corps initiatives. Following retirement from the U.S. Army, he worked for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), where he retired as the Deputy Associate Director for Special Populations. He served as the president of the Alumni of the prestigious Federal Executive Institute (FEI), and was a past president of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), where he challenged his colleagues to rethink the role of social workers in medical care for patients. He was a lifelong member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Prince Hall Freemasonry.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores Parron-Ragland, his first wife and mother of his three children, G. Anita Ragland, his daughters, LeAnita Ragland-Brooks and Rikki Ragland Marver, his son, Sherman L. Ragland, II; his sons-in-law, Alvin Brooks and Cory Marver, daughter-in-law, Clare Ragland; grandchildren, Brandon Brooks, Alex Brooks, David Ragland, Cameron Marver, Yasmin Hines and Gregory Hines; and his sister, Risë Tarrer. Colonel Ragland is preceded in death by his parents; Ernest Ragland and Hortense Ragland Tarrer; his sister, Bessie Joan Downing (Joni); his niece, Donna Downing; and his stepfather, Roderick H. Tarrer. Colonel Ragland was a man who adored his family and cherished every moment spent with his grandchildren.

Donations can be made to The Walter Reed Society in his memory at www.walterreedsociety.org, or by mail: 
The Walter Reed Society
8901 Rockville Pike, Box 303,
Bethesda, MD 20889

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. May his memory be a blessing.

The family has asked if you could read the following letter from Arlington regarding the rules and advice for attending a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. Please click here to view.