Doris M. Ragland

Doris Maxwell Ragland, 91, of Woodleaf died Saturday October 24, 2009, at home in Woodleaf where she resided with her daughter. Born December 24, 1917 in Sherman, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Paul Woodson Maxwell, a candy maker, and Leila Lane Maxwell, She was educated in the Sherman and Temple, Texas schools. She was 5’4” (“tall”) with eyes of green who sang and played the violin as a child. Mrs. Ragland married a young carpenter from Iowa and lived most of her life in West Monroe, LA, where her father in law built nail-less houses. She was a Girl Scout leader, volunteer at St. Paschal School, candle maker/decorator, member of the Church Parish Council, voracious reader, basketball cheerleader, driver of girls to games and camping and driver of nuns for shopping and doctor appointments, took her children to the free municipal swimming pool every day during sultry summers (no air cond) and made her children drink milk at every meal. She became a widow in 1958 with 4 young children still at home. When the youngest was 6 she went back to school, became a bookkeeper and worked at a construction company, a machine shop and finally as the secretary at St Paschal’s Church and Elementary School. In 1980, with all children grown and gone from home, she accompanied her daughter’s family to Germany where her son-in-law, a member of the US Army, was stationed. In the next 13 years, she was able to travel Europe extensively with the local American senior citizen’s group, a lifelong dream. She made many new friends and went to London, Winsor, English towns on Avon, Wales, Scotland, Paris, Venice, the Italian Rivera, Nice, Prague, Budapest, the Black Forest, Oberamergau, Garmisch, Rhine River Cruises, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, etc., has scores of photo albums and loved to talk about her travels. On arrival in Salisbury at age 76, she became a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She especially loved Sacred Heart’s music. Mrs. Ragland was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Wilson Ragland (39) on Sept 2, 1958; a daughter, Patricia Elaine Ragland,(3 hours) on October 10, 1955; a son, Ronald Paul Ragland (56) on April 21, 2001; a grandson, Devon Ragland (3 months) in 1978; a granddaughter, Teresa “Tracy” Waller (30) on January 13, 1996; a daughter in law, Eve Ragland (43) on April 24, 2001, and her grand-son-in-law, John Hogan,(30) on July 14, 2000. Also by her two sisters, Evalyn Maxwell Hallman and Margaret Maxwell Fatheree, and Evalyn’s two sons, Bobby Hallman (45) and Richard Hallman (53). Survivors include her daughter, Anne Ragland Waller (George) of Woodleaf with whom she made her home; sons, Kenneth Edwin Ragland (Cathy) of San Pedro, CA; and David Wilson Ragland (widower) of Independence, MO. Also grandchildren: Brian Keith Waller of Salisbury; Christiane Waller Hogan (widow) of Conway, AR; Paul George Waller of Woodleaf, and Jason Marcus Ragland of Austin, Texas. Six great-grandchildren: Jackie and Christopher McGuane of Aurora, IL; Sarah Gunter of Germany; Luke and Grant Hogan of Conway, AR; and Maxwell Lee Waller of Salisbury. And many beloved nieces and nephews, especially Dorothy, Joy, Buddy Gert, Sandy, Shirley and Kathy. In the past two years she has had falls and broken bones and near death with kidney failure and congestive heart disease. She became unable to walk, and then to even stand or turn over. Her eyesight failed so she had to give up her painting and puzzles and reading. She weighed less than 100 lbs and was less than 5 ft tall. Pain was nearly constant. She died quietly and is now able to sing again and walk and dance. She is with her husband and children, her parents and sisters and many old friends. Prayers were sent that Christ would be waiting for her with a big welcoming hug, and despite missing her intensely, we are glad she is there in His presence. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, October 29 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. John Putnam officiating. Interment will follow at Unity Presbyterian Church. A Prayer Service will be held 6:30 PM Wednesday at Summersett Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service until 8:00 PM and will be at the residence at other times. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund, 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147. Summersett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Doris M. Ragland

December 24, 1917 - October 24, 2009