Ralph Mark Stephenson

1956 - 2021

Ralph Mark Stephenson
May 29, 1956 - November 30, 2021
Knightdale, North Carolina - Ralph Mark Stephenson, 65, passed away suddenly at UNC Chapel Hill hospital on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. He was born May 29, 1956 in Wake County to the late Dalton Stephenson and Frankie Nell Russell Stephenson. Ralph graduated from Enloe High School in 1974 and attended East Carolina University graduating with a Sports Medicine degree in 1978. He accepted a teaching position at Richmond Sr. High School in Rockingham County. He joined the Wake County Sherriff's Department in 1979 and retired in 2006 as a major. After retirement from the Sherriff's office he pursued a career as a private investigator. Ralph was truly dedicated to his family and friends, as well as the law enforcement community and the citizens of Wake County. He will be greatly missed.
A service to celebrate his life will be held 2:00 pm, Sunday, December 5, 2021at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W Edenton St, Raleigh, NC. Inurnment will follow at the church columbarium.
Due to COVID, the family is asking for everyone to wear a mask and practice social distancing while attending the service.
Surviving: devoted and loving wife, Gerry Stancil Stephenson; daughters: Leigh Stephenson Tolleson (Dr. Christopher Tolleson) of TN, Dana Stephenson of Asheville; grandchildren: Gabriel, Caleb and Nora Tolleson; sister, Susan Stephenson Rouse (Lee) of New Bern; special nieces and nephews: Alex and Graham Rouse, George and Wade Stephenson, Lisa Stifleman-Perry; sister-in-law, Lorraine Stephenson.
In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his brother, Dalton Russell Stephenson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Edenton Street United Methodist Church Doorstep Ministries, 228 W. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.
Condolences to the family may be sent to poolefuneral.com under Tributes.