Ethelene Carter1

F, b. 14 January 1925, d. 23 April 1998
  • Last Edited: 29 Oct 2013

Family: Cecil M. Martin b. 12 Dec 1924, d. 11 Aug 2012

Citations

  1. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 63582584.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Lanett, Chambers, Alabama; Roll: 3; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 16; Image: 645.0; FHL microfilm: 2339738.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    George J Raye     53
    Sallie J Raye     46
    Sallie E Raye     23
    Minnie L Raye     22
    Matilee O Raye     20
    Florene Raye     18
    Jesse E Raye     12
    Margaret E Raye     9
    Charlie H Carter     30
    Mary A Carter     28
    Sadie R Carter     8
    Etheline A Carter     5
    Warner R Carter     1.
  3. [S1940] 1940, , Year: 1940; Census Place: Lanett, Chambers, Alabama; Roll: T627_10; Page: 23A; Enumeration District: 9-17.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Charlie Carter     40
    Sadie Carter     17
    Ethylene Carter     15
    Warner Carter     11
    Mary Carter     50
    James Carter     17.

George Jefferson Raye

M, b. 2 December 1876, d. 23 November 1954
  • Last Edited: 29 Oct 2013

Family: Sallie Jane (?) b. 11 Feb 1884, d. 7 Jul 1984

Citations

  1. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 61553196.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Lanett, Chambers, Alabama; Roll: 3; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 16; Image: 645.0; FHL microfilm: 2339738.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    George J Raye     53
    Sallie J Raye     46
    Sallie E Raye     23
    Minnie L Raye     22
    Matilee O Raye     20
    Florene Raye     18
    Jesse E Raye     12
    Margaret E Raye     9
    Charlie H Carter     30
    Mary A Carter     28
    Sadie R Carter     8
    Etheline A Carter     5
    Warner R Carter     1.
  3. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 61553347.

Sallie Jane (?)1

F, b. 11 February 1884, d. 7 July 1984
  • Last Edited: 29 Oct 2013

Family: George Jefferson Raye b. 2 Dec 1876, d. 23 Nov 1954

Citations

  1. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 61553196.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Lanett, Chambers, Alabama; Roll: 3; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 16; Image: 645.0; FHL microfilm: 2339738.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    George J Raye     53
    Sallie J Raye     46
    Sallie E Raye     23
    Minnie L Raye     22
    Matilee O Raye     20
    Florene Raye     18
    Jesse E Raye     12
    Margaret E Raye     9
    Charlie H Carter     30
    Mary A Carter     28
    Sadie R Carter     8
    Etheline A Carter     5
    Warner R Carter     1.

Cecil M. Martin

M, b. 12 December 1924, d. 11 August 2012
  • Last Edited: 29 Oct 2013
  • Birth*: 12 December 19241
  • Marriage*: say 1946; Principal=Ethelene Carter
  • Death*: 11 August 20122

Family: Ethelene Carter b. 14 Jan 1925, d. 23 Apr 1998

Citations

  1. [S2] Social Security Death Records, Issue State: South Carolina; Issue Date: Before 1951.
  2. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 95390683.

Eva Mae Brown

F, b. 17 February 1906, d. 1 June 1975
  • Last Edited: 30 Oct 2013

Family: Kennis Brewer Carter b. c 1903

Citations

  1. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 24422476.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Phenix City, Russell, Alabama; Roll: 47; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 2; Image: 620.0; FHL microfilm: 2339782.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Brewer Carter     26
    Eva Carter     24
    Harold Carter     2 & 2/12
    Eanest Carter     25
    Rossie Carter     24.
  3. [S1940] 1940, , Year: 1940; Census Place: Girard, Russell, Alabama; Roll: T627_77; Page: 23B; Enumeration District: 57-13.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Kenny B Carter     36
    Eva Mae Carter     34
    James H Carter     12
    Shirley Ann Carter     9
    Alonzo G Brown     68 (father-in-law).
  4. [S2] Social Security Death Records, Number: 257-09-2774; Issue State: Georgia; Issue Date: Before 1951.

Alonzo Gibson Brown

M, b. 10 November 1871, d. 17 April 1953
  • Last Edited: 30 Oct 2013

Family: Jennie M. Mills b. 1 Feb 1878

Citations

  1. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 24422566.
  2. [S1] Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800-1969, Ancestry.com.
  3. [S1940] 1940, , Year: 1940; Census Place: Girard, Russell, Alabama; Roll: T627_77; Page: 23B; Enumeration District: 57-13.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Kenny B Carter     36
    Eva Mae Carter     34
    James H Carter     12
    Shirley Ann Carter     9
    Alonzo G Brown     68 (father-in-law).
  4. [S1] Ancestry.com. Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974.

Jennie M. Mills

F, b. 1 February 1878
  • Last Edited: 30 Oct 2013

Family: Alonzo Gibson Brown b. 10 Nov 1871, d. 17 Apr 1953

Citations

  1. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 24422588.
  2. [S1] Alabama, Marriage Collection, 1800-1969, Ancestry.com.

Gertrude (?)

F, b. circa 1909
  • Last Edited: 30 Oct 2013

Family: Ernest Lee Carter b. 2 Dec 1905, d. 28 Oct 1950

Citations

  1. [S1940] 1940, , Year: 1940; Census Place: Girard, Russell, Alabama; Roll: T627_77; Page: 23B; Enumeration District: 57-13.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Ernest Lee Carter     34
    Gertrude Carter     30.

Nannie Bell Howell

F, b. October 1890, d. 13 October 1961
  • Last Edited: 30 Oct 2013

Family: Robert Oscar Benton b. 6 Oct 1878, d. 23 Apr 1941

Citations

  1. [S1900] 1900 Federal census, , Year: 1900; Census Place: Tramell Crossroads, Chambers, Alabama; Roll: 6; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0005; FHL microfilm: 1240006.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Jas W Howell     32
    Dera F Howell     26
    Nannie B Howell     9
    Henry G Howell     4
    Clara O Howell     2.
  2. [S1910] 1910 Federal Census, , Year: 1910; Census Place: Milltown, Chambers, Alabama; Roll: T624_5; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0017; FHL microfilm: 1374018.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Jim Howell     42
    Dura Howell     37
    Annie Howell     19
    Grady Howell     14
    Clara Howell     12
    Marvin Howell     8
    Eunice Howell     6
    George Howel     1/12.
  3. [S1] "Alabama, Marriages, 1816-1957," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FQM3-541 : accessed 31 Oct 2013), R. O. Benton and Nannie B. Howell, 29 Jan 1911.
  4. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 50936498.

Robert Oscar Benton

M, b. 6 October 1878, d. 23 April 1941
  • Last Edited: 25 Feb 2018

Family: Nannie Bell Howell b. Oct 1890, d. 13 Oct 1961

Citations

  1. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 50936463.
  2. [S1] "Alabama, Marriages, 1816-1957," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FQM3-541 : accessed 31 Oct 2013), R. O. Benton and Nannie B. Howell, 29 Jan 1911.

Julia Coleman1

F, b. say 1869
  • Last Edited: 30 Oct 2013

Family: James Wiley Howell b. 30 Oct 1867, d. 15 May 1933

Citations

  1. [S1] "Alabama, Marriages, 1816-1957," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FQDM-B5Q : accessed 31 Oct 2013), J. W. Howell and Julia Coleman, 12 Nov 1889.

Winnie Lee Slay

F, b. 1903, d. 1 February 1972
  • Last Edited: 30 Oct 2013

Family: Marvin Wiley Howell b. 23 May 1901, d. 11 Dec 1966

Citations

  1. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 42026451.

Walter Woods

M, b. circa 1879
  • Last Edited: 1 Nov 2013

Family: Gracy Ragsdale b. Oct 1887

Citations

  1. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census, , Year: 1920; Census Place: Good Hope, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T625_11; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 43; Image: 495.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Walter Woods     40
    Gracie Woods     32
    Mildred Harbison     13
    Cortez Harbison     9
    Deett Harbison     5
    Maybell Harbison     16
    Beatrice Harbison     12
    Christial Harbison     7
    Hersching Woods     1
    Fannie Ragsdale     68.

Hersching Woods

M, b. circa 1918
  • Last Edited: 1 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census, , Year: 1920; Census Place: Good Hope, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T625_11; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 43; Image: 495.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Walter Woods     40
    Gracie Woods     32
    Mildred Harbison     13
    Cortez Harbison     9
    Deett Harbison     5
    Maybell Harbison     16
    Beatrice Harbison     12
    Christial Harbison     7
    Hersching Woods     1
    Fannie Ragsdale     68.

Annie B. Fuller

F, b. circa 1888
  • Last Edited: 1 Nov 2013

Family: Sanders Walker Ragsdale b. 12 Dec 1885

Citations

  1. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census, , Year: 1920; Census Place: Good Hope, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T625_11; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 43; Image: 497.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Walker Ragsdale     34
    Allie Ragsdale     31
    Herbert Ragsdale     13
    K Ragsdale     9
    Woodrow Ragsdale     7
    Francis Ragsdale     5
    Lueze Ragsdale     2
    Jane Fuller     80.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama; Roll: 28; Page: 24A; Enumeration District: 83; Image: 649.0; FHL microfilm: 2339763.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    S W Ragsdale     44
    Annie B Ragsdale     41
    Herbert G Ragsdale     23
    James K Ragsdale     20
    Carl W Ragsdale     17
    Frances T Ragsdale     15
    Annie L Ragsdale     12
    S W Ragsdale     6.

Herbert G. Ragsdale

M, b. circa 1906
  • Last Edited: 1 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census, , Year: 1920; Census Place: Good Hope, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T625_11; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 43; Image: 497.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Walker Ragsdale     34
    Allie Ragsdale     31
    Herbert Ragsdale     13
    K Ragsdale     9
    Woodrow Ragsdale     7
    Francis Ragsdale     5
    Lueze Ragsdale     2
    Jane Fuller     80.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama; Roll: 28; Page: 24A; Enumeration District: 83; Image: 649.0; FHL microfilm: 2339763.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    S W Ragsdale     44
    Annie B Ragsdale     41
    Herbert G Ragsdale     23
    James K Ragsdale     20
    Carl W Ragsdale     17
    Frances T Ragsdale     15
    Annie L Ragsdale     12
    S W Ragsdale     6.

James Kay Ragsdale

M, b. circa 1910, d. 21 November 1968
  • Last Edited: 1 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census, , Year: 1920; Census Place: Good Hope, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T625_11; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 43; Image: 497.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Walker Ragsdale     34
    Allie Ragsdale     31
    Herbert Ragsdale     13
    K Ragsdale     9
    Woodrow Ragsdale     7
    Francis Ragsdale     5
    Lueze Ragsdale     2
    Jane Fuller     80.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama; Roll: 28; Page: 24A; Enumeration District: 83; Image: 649.0; FHL microfilm: 2339763.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    S W Ragsdale     44
    Annie B Ragsdale     41
    Herbert G Ragsdale     23
    James K Ragsdale     20
    Carl W Ragsdale     17
    Frances T Ragsdale     15
    Annie L Ragsdale     12
    S W Ragsdale     6.

Carl Woodrow Ragsdale

M, b. circa 1912
  • Last Edited: 1 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census, , Year: 1920; Census Place: Good Hope, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T625_11; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 43; Image: 497.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Walker Ragsdale     34
    Allie Ragsdale     31
    Herbert Ragsdale     13
    K Ragsdale     9
    Woodrow Ragsdale     7
    Francis Ragsdale     5
    Lueze Ragsdale     2
    Jane Fuller     80.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama; Roll: 28; Page: 24A; Enumeration District: 83; Image: 649.0; FHL microfilm: 2339763.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    S W Ragsdale     44
    Annie B Ragsdale     41
    Herbert G Ragsdale     23
    James K Ragsdale     20
    Carl W Ragsdale     17
    Frances T Ragsdale     15
    Annie L Ragsdale     12
    S W Ragsdale     6.

Frances T. Ragsdale

F, b. circa 1914
  • Last Edited: 1 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census, , Year: 1920; Census Place: Good Hope, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T625_11; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 43; Image: 497.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Walker Ragsdale     34
    Allie Ragsdale     31
    Herbert Ragsdale     13
    K Ragsdale     9
    Woodrow Ragsdale     7
    Francis Ragsdale     5
    Lueze Ragsdale     2
    Jane Fuller     80.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama; Roll: 28; Page: 24A; Enumeration District: 83; Image: 649.0; FHL microfilm: 2339763.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    S W Ragsdale     44
    Annie B Ragsdale     41
    Herbert G Ragsdale     23
    James K Ragsdale     20
    Carl W Ragsdale     17
    Frances T Ragsdale     15
    Annie L Ragsdale     12
    S W Ragsdale     6.

Annie Louise Ragsdale

F, b. circa 1917
  • Last Edited: 1 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census, , Year: 1920; Census Place: Good Hope, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T625_11; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 43; Image: 497.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Walker Ragsdale     34
    Allie Ragsdale     31
    Herbert Ragsdale     13
    K Ragsdale     9
    Woodrow Ragsdale     7
    Francis Ragsdale     5
    Lueze Ragsdale     2
    Jane Fuller     80.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama; Roll: 28; Page: 24A; Enumeration District: 83; Image: 649.0; FHL microfilm: 2339763.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    S W Ragsdale     44
    Annie B Ragsdale     41
    Herbert G Ragsdale     23
    James K Ragsdale     20
    Carl W Ragsdale     17
    Frances T Ragsdale     15
    Annie L Ragsdale     12
    S W Ragsdale     6.

Jane (?)

F, b. circa 1839
  • Last Edited: 1 Nov 2013

Family:

Citations

  1. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census, , Year: 1920; Census Place: Good Hope, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T625_11; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 43; Image: 497.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Walker Ragsdale     34
    Allie Ragsdale     31
    Herbert Ragsdale     13
    K Ragsdale     9
    Woodrow Ragsdale     7
    Francis Ragsdale     5
    Lueze Ragsdale     2
    Jane Fuller     80.

Lilllie L. Harris

F, b. circa 1893
  • Last Edited: 10 Nov 2013

Family: Carl Cortez Ragsdale b. 28 Mar 1892, d. Nov 1981

Citations

  1. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Cullman, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: 11; Page: 22A; Enumeration District: 1; Image: 545.0; FHL microfilm: 2339746.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Carl C Ragsdale     38
    Lillie Ragsdale     37
    Carlton C Ragsdale     12
    Billy J Ragsdale     8
    Dannie G Ragsdale     6
    Mary E Harris     62 (mother-in-law).
  2. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 8361637.

Mary Elizabeth (?)

F, b. 26 March 1867, d. 6 October 1939
  • Last Edited: 10 Nov 2013

Family: John W. Harris b. c 1860

John W. Harris

M, b. circa 1860
  • Last Edited: 10 Nov 2013

Family: Mary Elizabeth (?) b. 26 Mar 1867, d. 6 Oct 1939

Carlton Cornel Ragsdale1

M, b. 2 June 1917, d. 5 November 1991
  • Last Edited: 10 Nov 2013

Family: Melda Ponder b. 12 Aug 1918, d. 23 Mar 2013

Citations

  1. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 8361637.
  2. [S2] Social Security Death Records, Number: 423-01-8215; Issue State: Alabama; Issue Date: Before 1951.
  3. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census, , Year: 1930; Census Place: Cullman, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: 11; Page: 22A; Enumeration District: 1; Image: 545.0; FHL microfilm: 2339746.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Carl C Ragsdale     38
    Lillie Ragsdale     37
    Carlton C Ragsdale     12
    Billy J Ragsdale     8
    Dannie G Ragsdale     6
    Mary E Harris     62 (mother-in-law).
  4. [S1940] 1940, , Year: 1940; Census Place: Cullman, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T627_22; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 22-1.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Carlton Ragsdale     22
    Melda Ragsdale     21
    George Ragsdale     2
    Ruth Gibson     20 (servant).

Melda Ponder

F, b. 12 August 1918, d. 23 March 2013
  • Last Edited: 10 Nov 2013
  • Birth*: 12 August 1918; Cullman, Cullman Co., Alabama; daugher of George W. Ponder and Pearl Sims1
  • Married Name: circa 1936; Ragsdale
  • Marriage*: circa 1936; Cullman, Cullman Co., Alabama; Principal=Carlton Cornel Ragsdale
  • (Wife) 1940 Census: 1 April 1940; Cullman, Cullman Co., Alabama; Principal=Carlton Cornel Ragsdale2
  • Death*: 23 March 2013; Cullman, Cullman Co., Alabama; Mrs. Melda Ponder Ragsdale, 94, of Cullman passed away peacefully at home Saturday afternoon, March 23, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. Her son, Larry, Barbara and grandson, Mike, were with her during her last hours.

    A wife, mother, homemaker, business partner with her husband, Carlton Cornell Ragsdale, during his life, and a faithful follower and worker at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, from her birth, Mrs. Ragsdale epitomized the very essence of a quiet Southern woman.

    A devoted and much-loved only daughter of her deceased parents, George W. Ponder Sr. and Pearl Sims Ponder, she always was determined to do her best at whatever she undertook. She attended Sacred Heart High School for girls and later married Carlton, her high school sweetheart.

    She and her family lived in the same historic neighborhood for three-fourths of her life, first in the Ponder home on Highway 278 East, then after her marriage in her new residence two blocks over on First Street Southeast. She and Carlton raised three boys there: George Carlton Ragsdale, Larry Leroy Ragsdale and Ronald Albert "Ronnie" Ragsdale.

    She served on PTAs, as a Cub Scout leader and was a participant in all things related to her children. During their childhoods, the family often traveled to Guntersville to spend summers and weekends there with their Ragsdale and Ponder family and friends, bringing other young folks along to "play." She cooked constantly to feed the visitors, fished as much as she could with her mother-in-law, Lillie Ragsdale, and friend, Velma Chandler, and shared the unique love only she could give. Their cousin, Joyce Ponder, and friend, Alice Chandler, spent fun times with them and just ask David Moss and David McKoy to tell you some of their "experiences" in Guntersville!

    When her husband, Carlton, founded Ragsdale Hardware Store in downtown Cullman, she worked beside him, riding a bike with George in the handebar basket to work each morning! When they moved in the 1960s to a farm on Fromhold Road and raised chickens and a massive garden, she was right beside him. When he entered the home construction business and built a subdivision on part of their property on St. Joseph Street Northwest, she was at his side coordinating colors, bath fixtures and appliances.

    When Carlton began his association with the Tennessee Walking Horse world, he and his favorite horse, Slip, and the family traveled around to competitions in the South. Melda's tailgating food was a highlight for the many show folks who crowded around their vehicle each weekend. They made lifelong friends among the horse association family during those successful competitive years.

    After spending 20 or so years on the farm, they decided it was time to retire and they moved to her mother's last home after her passing, one block from the original Ponder homeplace. She was back in familiar territory once again.

    Melda and Carlton dearly loved spending time with their grandchildren, David, Mike and Joe, who always were eager to go to them as well! While Carlton was not around to enjoy his great-grandchildren, Melda took much pride in Jayne, Kelsey, Carlton and Holly. Her face lit up whenever they were around as did the kids. Love reciprocated! Thank you all for the special love and affection you shared with Grandmother Melda.

    Their retirement years gave Melda and Carlton much joy as they took to the road, first in a car, changing motels every night. Once back from that initial foray, they became a "motor home" couple, or as Carlton's dad, Carl C. Ragsdale used to call it, a "roadhouse." Their motoring outings took them all over the United States and provided not only them, but some of their friends with great travel experiences. Their pal, Gracie Grissom, can testify to that! Their "fun" ended when Carlton began to experience serious strokes, declining health and then death on Nov. 5, 1991. Melda was a 60-year member of the Cullman Chapter No. 35 Order of the Eastern Star organization and served in many capacities, including Grand Matron.

    She worked in numerous offices and positions in First Christian Church and was a talented seamstress, joining with the ladies of the Christian Women's Fellowship in making various quilts, Christmas ornaments and sundry items for their Christmas bazaar and Soup Day, which was held every November on election day. She delighted in discovering new designs for the varied Christmas patterns she so diligently crafted each year for family and the bazaars. Thanksgiving always was special, as she presented her children and grandchildren with their "new" ornaments, which had been kept a "secret" all year long as she worked on each delightful pattern.

    She learned the art of perfection from her mother, Mama Pearl, and even the stitches on the backs of her quilts were as perfect as the front! When her quilts, handiwork and baked goods were entered in the annual Cullman County fairs, she always came home with blue ribbons for her expertise. After Carlton passed away, Melda, Barbara and Frances Norton made numerous trips to places of interest, making many precious memories of sites, laughter, stories from their past and fun. Oh, for the good ol' days once again!

    Melda gave her heart and soul to her beloved church, and when the congregation had to disband in 2010, only she and Dorothy Henderson were the original oldest attending members. At that time, the church building was only three years away from turning 100 this year, 2013.

    Following Carlton's death, she continued to live in her home until the tornado of April 27, 2011, tore through Cullman and destroyed it. She was in the hospital or she would have been a casualty as all the trees in her yard were uprooted and landed on her roof and fell through into the house. Dr. Michael Hall saved her life, once again, as he had put her in the hospital for pneumonia that very morning! She was 92 at the time.

    Following the destruction of her home on Seventh Ave. Southeast, she moved in with her son, Larry, and Barbara for the remainder of her days.

    Mrs. Ragsdale was preceded in death by her husband, Carlton C. Ragsdale; her third son, Ronald A. Ragsdale; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Ponder Sr.; three brothers, Albert Ponder, Elbert E. Ponder and George W. Ponder Jr.; and Carlton's parents, Carl Cortez and Lillie Harris Ragsdale.

    She is survived by two sons, George Carlton Ragsdale of San Marcos, California, and Larry Leroy Ragsdale Nad daughter-in-law, Barbara Gootee Ragsdale of Cullman; three grandsons, David Allen Ragsdale of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, James Michael Ragsdale and his wife, Angela Herschede Ragsdale of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; and Joseph Carlton Ragsdale of Panama City Beach, Florida; four great-grandchildren, Jayne Elaine Ragsdale and Kelsey Anne Ragsdale of Jacksonville, Florida, Carlton Strauss Ragsdale and Holly Camille Ragsdale of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; two sisters-in-law, Frances Duke Ponder of Birmingham and Judy Jordan Ponder Fehler of Cullman; a nephew, George W. Ponder III of Cullman; three nieces, Suzy Ponder Eidson of Callaway Gardens, Georgia, Joyce Ponder Cahoon of Birmingham and Linda Battles of Jasper; and Pat Eddleman Ragsdale Hyland of Shelbyville, Tennessee.

    Most of her contemporaries are waiting for her in heaven, but her very special "family friend," Freda Thompson, who herself is 101, has been her "phone" connection on a daily basis for many, many years. Thanks, Freda, for being there during her lifetime! You two shared so very much history together dating back to your teenage years! She loved you dearly.

    Special thanks to Hospice of Cullman County workers and especially Darlene Smith; to Lisa Phenicia from Oxford Health Care; and to Melda's favorite doctor, Michael Hall, and his "right arm," Paulette Lackey Trimble. You all are blessed and you have been a blessing to the Ragsdale family all these years! You were so special to Melda (and us).

    The funeral will be at Moss-Service Funeral Home Chapel, Wednesday, March 27. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., with the service beginning at 11 a.m. Preachers will be Rev. Robin Lambert and Rev. C.J. Cobb, former pastors of First Christian Church. David Christopher, former music minister at First Christian, will sing three of Melda's favorite religious hyms: "He Touched Me", "In The Garden", and "On Eagles Wings".

    Pallbearers will be her grandsons, David, Mike and Joe; and great-grandson, Carlton, with Pat Spiegle from the former First Christian Church, and Gary Murphree, lifelong friend of the family.

    Interment will be at Cullman City Cemetery, but there will not be any graveside services there.

    In lieu of flowers, if you wish to memorialize Melda, please make a donation to your favorite charity.

    (Melda Ponder Ragsdale was a quiet, refined woman who did not seek attention or the limelight. This obituary is written with great love, as a testament to the life she lived, the love she shared and to the spirit she leaves behing. You will be missed, dear Melda, and never forgotten. Rest in peace.).

    Published in The Cullman Times 03/25/2013.3

Family: Carlton Cornel Ragsdale b. 2 Jun 1917, d. 5 Nov 1991

Citations

  1. [S2] Social Security Death Records, Issue State: Alabama; Issue Date: Before 1951.
  2. [S1940] 1940, , Year: 1940; Census Place: Cullman, Cullman, Alabama; Roll: T627_22; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 22-1.

    Household Members:     
    Name     Age
    Carlton Ragsdale     22
    Melda Ragsdale     21
    George Ragsdale     2
    Ruth Gibson     20 (servant).
  3. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Find A Grave Memorial# 107286175.