James Earl Ralph, Sr.

James Ralph Earl Ralph, Sr. departed this life peacefully at his home in Suffolk, Virginia on Sunday, August 6, 2017.He was born to the late Minnie Lee Ralph Whitaker in Whaleyville, Virginia on October 10, 1942. James was preceded in death by his step father, Clinton Whitaker and his sister, Mary Ralph Goodman.James attended T. S. Cooper Elementary School in Gates County, North Carolina and East Suffolk High School in Suffolk, Virginia. He loved all aspects of agriculture and became a licensed Registered Pesticide Technician with the Commonwealth of Virginia. He retired from Greenway Farms of Suffolk, Virginia. James subscribed to the farming resource magazines, Cultivate and Progressive Farmer.He joined New Mount Joy C.O.G.I.C and attended the 8:00 morning service faithfully.James daily monitored the Stock Market Reports and often accurately predicted the weather. He watched professional boxing, NasCar Racing and loved to watch the "Westerns." His smile, laugh, sense of humor and generosity were his character trademarks. Whenever needed, James was always helping both his family and friends.James will forever be remembered by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 53 years, Virginia Ralph; a daughter, Sharyn Welch (Chester) of Suffolk, Virginia; a son, James Earl, Jr. of Gainesville, Virginia; a grand-daughter, Leslie Denise; a great-grandson, Nigel Layne, Jr. of Suffolk, Virginia; two uncles, Peter Ralph (Susie) of Hampton, Virginia and Vernon Ralph (Janice) of Suffolk, Virginia; a brother-in-law, Raymond Goodman, Sr. of Suffolk, Virginia; two nieces, Rev. Patricia Goodman and Belinda Brown of Suffolk, Virginia; a nephew, Raymond Goodman, Jr. of Virginia Beach, Virginia; a host of cousins, relatives and friends; and his beloved Boston Terrier, Belle.A celebration of life will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 10, 2017 at New Mount Joy Family Worship Center. He will be laid to rest in Nansemond-Suffolk Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Earl Ralph, Sr., please visit our flower store.