Mrs. Ida Mae Ragsdale, age 100 received her new heavenly body on August 23, 2022.
Mrs. Ragsdale was born on July 31, 1922 in Polk County to the late Sidney Johnson and Frances McBurnett Johnson. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Rev. W.M. “Pick” Ragsdale; son, Harry Truman Ragsdale; grandson, Joshua Ragsdale; son-in-law, Bobby York; great-great-grandson, Christian Locke; 3 brothers and 6 sisters.
Mrs. Ragsdale is retired from the Goodyear Mill and after many years she was also retired from the Gammage Funeral Home.
Mrs. Ragsdale was widowed at age 34 and with five children on her own, working hard to support and raise them. She was a loving mother and “Grandma” who enjoyed when all her family would gather for family dinners. She was an excellent cook. She was famous for her dried peach coconut pie, that was a favorite of not only kids and grandkids, but also countless other relatives.
Mrs. Ragsdale was a member of Arrington Chapel Congregational Methodist Church, where at time of her death she was the oldest living member. Her late husband had served as the pastor prior to his death.
“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she sall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31: 27-31”
Mrs. Ragsdale is survived by her children; daughters, Wonda Jo York, Patsy Myers (Wayne); sons, Wayne “Punkin” Ragsdale and Rev. John Ragsdale, Sr. (Boots); daughter-in-law, Janie Ragsdale; sister, Georgia Sensing; twelve grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren, twenty-nine great-great-grandchildren, and two more on the way; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The funeral arrangements for Mrs. Ragsdale will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at twelve o’clock in the afternoon in the chapel of the Gammage Funeral Home with grandsons Rev. John Ragsdale, Jr. and Mr. Jeff Myers officiating. Music will be provided by her grandchildren, Chris Ragsdale, Lorinda McCollum and Shi-Anne Eakin. Interment will follow in the Arrington Chapel Cemetery in Piedmont, Alabama.
The family of Mrs. Ragsdale will receive family and friends on Saturday, August 27, 2022 from eleven o’clock in the morning until the funeral service hour at the Gammage Funeral Home.
The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Blake Myers, Elijah Eakin, Scott McCollum, Aaron Ragsdale, and Shane Payton.
The family has respectfully requested that flowers are to be omitted; however, donations can be made to Arrington Chapel Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 43, Piedmont, AL 36272.
Messages of condolence can be made to the family by visiting our website and signing the online guestbook at gammagefh.com.
The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for Mrs. Ida Mae Johnson Ragsdale.
