Ralph Edward James

Ralph Edward James went to be with our Lord and Savior at the age of 67 on August 12, 2018. His big, kind, patient heart took its last beat after an extended stay in ICU at Forest General Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Charlotte Elliott James; daughter, Kelsey James Hall; son in law, Jeff Hall; grandson, Ethan James Hall; granddaughter, Adalee Taylor Hall; brother, Phil Ottis James; sister in law, Rita James; sister, Becky Teague; brother in law, Jim Teague; and sister in law, Deborah Elliott. He is also survived by nieces, Charay DuBose, Tracy Maggard, Jennifer Adcock, Brandi Holifield, Haley Wilson, and Raysita James; nephews, Marty Bullock, RayBob Jefcoat, Drew James and Raynold James, great nieces, Rachel Jefcoat, Audrey Maggard and Shayna Bullock Garrett; great nephews, Jordyn DuBose, Tyler Lewis, Zack Lewis, Taylor Jefcoat, Blake Maggard, Collin Maggard, Jackson Holifield, Kade Wilson, Rylan Wilson and Nathan Bullock. He also had a host of cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ottis Columbus James and Tressie Hill James O’Flinn, and sisters, Janie Katherine James Bullock and Barbara Ann James Jefcoat. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Laurel. He graduated from West Jones High School Class of 1969. He worked for Ingalls Shipbuilding and worked as a carpenter and brick mason before he started a career of serving in the Laurel Fire Department for 20 years. After he retired, he started a new business laying brick floors. When he got “too old” for that laborious job, he started another new career in education where he taught in the Industrial Maintenance department at Laurel High School for 7 years. He decided to finally retire again after his first grandchild was born. He loved God, his family and friends. Everyone who knew him felt that love and kindness. He was a very talented man who could do just about anything. He had tremendous patience and loved taking time to teach anyone how to do something he knew how to do. He left behind a host of beloved and dear friends who were always a phone call or visit away to borrow tools, get an opinion, or just to discuss the daily project. When he passed away, he was in the middle of constructing a “barndominium” for he and Charlotte. His family would like to thank family and friends near and far for the countless prayers, visits, phone calls, and messages. They felt the overwhelming love for Ralph shine through. Also, to the physicians and ICU nurses at FGH, thank you for caring for Ralph during this difficult time. Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Laurel on Friday, August 17, 2018. Visitation will begin at 12 noon and the service will follow at 2 p.m. Dr. Randy Turner will officiate. The Laurel Fire Department will serve as pallbearers. His wishes were to be cremated, wishing his ashes be spread near and far, with special request of some spread at Clingmans Dome in the Smoky Mountains. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust, Ralph’s life has touched many people and his circle of life is now complete. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Ralph Edward James

April 14, 1951 - August 12, 2018