Ralph Erwin Stanley, 92 years old, of Blue Ridge, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Ralph was born March 02, 1932, at the Stanley home-place on Aska Road and lived in Fannin County, Georgia most of his life. Aside from working briefly in Ohio and spending five years at Knox Glass in Forest Park, Georgia.
Ralph worked the majority of his life as a carpenter. He began his career with his grandfather, friend and hero, Harrison "Papa" Stanley, during the last few years of his grandfather's life. Ralph built many of the homes along the upper Toccoa and in the mountains surrounding Aska Road.
Ralph was a member of the Church of Christ, and, like his father and grandfather, served as the caretaker of the historic Stanley Church of Christ in Dial.
He also served as the historical orator for the Stanley Family and Stanley Settlement with his historical facts and stories appearing in numerous publications.
Ralph was well-known in the community and loved to tell stories, talk about his family and all things of the past. He had an amazing sense of humor and could always be counted on to make you laugh.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Monie Stanley; sister, Eva Mae Tinch; brothers, Lee Stanley and Earl Stanley.
He is joined in death by his wife of 54 years, Charlotte Miller Stanley, of Blue Ridge.
He is survived by his two daughters, Monica (Randy) Watson, of Tennga, Georgia, and Miranda (Chip) Verner, of Blue Ridge; four grandchildren, Kenna Verner, Lane Watson, Cooper Watson and Koen Verner; two sisters, Evelyn Fair and Shirley Queen; brother, Doyle Stanley; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family received friends at Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home, Blue Ridge Chapel Sunday, November 10, 2024 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services were held Monday, November 11, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home, Blue Ridge Chapel with Minister Aaron Stanely officiating. Interment followed in the Stanely Creek Church Cemetery.
The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Lane Watson, Cooper Watson, Koen Verner, Doyle Stanley, Scott Stanley and Daniel Stanley.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Stanley Church of Christ Cemetery Fund.
Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ralph Erwin Stanley.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at
www.cochranmcdaniel.com.Published by The News Observer from Nov. 13 to Nov. 20, 2024.