Phyliss Ralph

Phyllis Corkran Ralph, 85, passed away peacefully in the early morning of December 5, 2025 in Easton, Maryland.

Phyllis was born on September 25, 1940 in Cambridge, Maryland to Philip and Dora Corkran. She lived with her parents and sister, Shirley, on a farm in Rhodesdale, Maryland throughout her childhood. Phyllis excelled in all pursuits academic, graduating as class valedictorian from North Dorchester High School;, and receiving her B.A from the University of Maryland, her Masters from the University of Nebraska and her PhD from the University of Kansas, all in English literature.

At 19, Phyllis married Walter Thomas Ralph, Jr. (Tom). They led a peripatetic life in the early years of their marriage, working and living in Los Angeles, California; Omaha, Nebraska; Hastings, Nebraska; and Waterville, Ohio before settling in Leawood, Kansas where they raised daughter Regan and son Eric. Over the course of her career, Phyllis taught high school English in California and English literature at the University of Missouri--Kansas City and the University of Kansas.

Over the 54 years of their marriage, Phyllis ensured that she and Tom traveled the world, had season tickets to the opera and the symphony, and supported their children's athletic and artistic pursuits. Thanks to Tom, she became an avid sports fan, keeping up with the Ravens, Orioles, Terrapins, Chiefs, Royals and Jayhawks through the current season. Phyllis and Tom retired to the Eastern Shore in 1995 to a house on the Choptank River where they enjoyed hosting family and friends for many years. Newly returned to the Shore, Phyllis volunteered at the Hurlock Free Library, not far from her childhood home. Phyllis was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Cambridge, MD, serving in various roles on the Vestry. She also taught adult education classes at Chesapeake College. A lifelong voracious reader, Phyllis was always in a book club making friends and reading everything from Victorian novels to contemporary mysteries.

Phyllis had an indomitable spirit. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her early 40s, she remained determined to live a full and independent life, teaching, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She was fierce until the end.

Phyllis was predeceased by her husband and her sister, Shirley Corkran McCulley.

She is survived by her loving family, daughter Regan, son Eric and his wife Julie, grandsons Samuel Corkran Hanoura, Walter Charles Ralph and Philip George Ralph; nephew Jeff McCulley and his wife Eriko Wada; niece Catherine McCulley; great-nephew Kenji McCulley, his wife Rui Shinozaki and their son Leo, and great-nephew Timothy Rzepecki.

A celebration of life service for Phyllis will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Cambridge, Maryland, 601 Church Street, on December 29, 2025 at 11 am, with a reception to follow.

In memory of Phyllis, donations may be made to Maryland Public Television, 11767 Owings Mills Blvd., Owings Mills, MD 21117 or https://donate.mpt.org/mptv/tribute.

Arrangements are in the care of Zeller Funeral Home in East New Market, Maryland.

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