Life’s Brief Reflections
Mr.
Walter Ellis Ragsdale, III was born to the late Walter Ellis Ragsdale Jr. and Garnett A Hardy. He was born July 11, 1948, in Memphis, Tennessee, and peacefully departed this life at Baptist Memorial Hospital on January 25, 2024.
Walter was raised by his grandfather, Reverend Walter E. Ragsdale Sr., his Father, Walter E. Ragsdale Jr., and his mother-in-love, Lillie A. Ragsdale. He adored his parents. He cherished the years with his brother Quintin and sister Yasmine. Growing up in Emmanuel Baptist Church, he met his lifelong friend Willie B. Watkins. Walter sang in the choir and played the piano...these gifts he inherited from his grandmother.
Walter attended Hamilton High School, where he was on the basketball team and played saxophone in the band. His senior year, he transferred to Carver High School, where he received his high school diploma. He also attended culinary school and earned his certification as a Chef.
While in high school, he met and later married his sweetheart, Carolynn A. Woodruff, on August 28, 1967. Two children were born to their union, Stephanie C. Ragsdale and Walter E. Ragsdale IV. The couple moved to Los Angeles, California.
In California, he worked at the Orthopedic Hospital in the Central Receiving Department, at various restaurants as a Chef, and at General Motors on the assembly line. When the GM plant closed in Los Angeles, Walter continued with the plant in Missouri and then in Texas. He ultimately retired from the General Motors plant in Texas and moved back home to Memphis, Tennessee. He obtained work at Kirby Pines Retirement Community, where he returned to his passion for working as a chef.
In Memphis, Tennessee, he met and married Emma J. Barnes on August 13, 1994. She preceded him in death on May 13, 2013.
And then...Walter met the widow Verna Stephens-Crockett, and their love story began. They both were grieving the loss of their loved ones. Both spouses died...at the same hospital in the same month in the same year. They shared their feeling of loss, loneliness, etc. They comforted each other, and in the process, they grew closer. Walter married “My Verna,” his forever love, November 27, 2015.
The couple enjoyed entertaining, cooking, spending time with their children, and traveling. Walter loved sports. He supported the Steelers, Verna supported the Chiefs, he supported the Lakers, Verna supported the Grizzlies, he supported the Dodgers, and Verna supported the Cardinals. Differences, yes, yet totally united.
Walter and Verna were inseparable, demonstrating the essence of unconditional love. They faced life’s challenges hand in hand, providing a shining example of resilience and commitment.
Walter was added to the SouthEastSide Church of Christ on May 24, 2019. He enjoyed attending church services until his health began to fail. He then watched church services online at home with “My Verna” by his side.
Walter’s absence leaves a void that will be felt deeply by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy lives on through his wife, children, grandchildren, and others he touched.
He is survived by his loving wife of eight years, Verna Stephens-Ragsdale; brother Quintin R. Ragsdale (Helen), sister Yasmine B. Ragsdale; daughter, Stephanie C. Handsome (Kenny); son, Walter E. Ragsdale IV (Raquel), son DeRone Payne (Angela), son, DeMone Payne (Ledia), sisters-in-law, Gerri S. Purcell (Ronald), Carol S. Reed (Bill), Vickie S. Finch, Janice S. McDowell (Willie), Beverly S. Norfleet (Arthur), and Patrice S. Moore; grandchildren, Ashley Manning, Ariana Clark, Walter V, Dominque P. Jefferies (Elvis), Ahkeeia P. Ward (Trent), DeRone S. Payne (DeVonna), Larry Phillips Jr., Tuere’ & Leeya Payne; great-grandchildren; DeCari, Ceanna, Nyla, Niko, Raiden, Luna Jolene Amaya-Jara, Elvis Jeffries III & Deziree Jefferies, Cristopher Ward, Heaven & Harmony Payne and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends of devotion and distinction.
TheLord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalms 23
The Celebration of Life
Friday, February 9, 2024 12:00 Noon
SouthEastSide Church of Christ
4221 Riverdale Road • Memphis, Tennessee 38141
Bro. DonBurnell Holly, Evangelist
Prelude
Processional...................................................The Family of Mr. Walter Ellis Ragsdale, III
Bro. Michael A. Dean, Song Leader
Words of Comfort & Prayer.............................................Bro. DonBurnell Holly, Evangelist
SouthEastSide Church of Christ, Memphis, TN
Scripture Readings:
Old Testament: Proverbs 16:7-9 & Proverbs 20:6-7...........................Bro. Ronald White
New Testament: 1 Peter 3:8-14.................................................Bro. Terrance Cannon
Musical Selection................................................................................Sis. Genevia Jackson “I Won’t Complain”
Expressions
(Respectfully, Two Minutes Please) Lifelong Friend - Willie B. Watkins
General Motors Work Friend - Michael Music
Children - Stephanie C. Handsome & Walter E. Ragsdale, IV
Acknowledgements.......................................................................Sis. Nobilene Thompson
Reflections of Life...........................................................................................Read Silently
Musical Selection..........................................................................Congregational Singing “Let the Spirit of the Lord Rise Among Us”
Eulogy............................................................................Bro. DonBurnell Holly, Evangelist
Recessional
LTributes oving
To My Dad,
Losing you has been the worst feeling in the world. Daddy, we shared so many memories together as a family. You loved to cook, take us on trips, and look at the Pittsburgh Steelers games on Sunday all while entertaining with family and friends, this was so much fun. I will truly miss your phone calls and my visits to see you in Memphis.
I will always love you Your Daughter, Stephanie
My fondest thoughts, in memory of our daddy, would land me in thought of his jovial entertainment disposition towards any and all situational circumstances. (I guess that’s where we get that from..lol Cause this is so embedded with the roots of
Daddy would always look to turn any and/or all occasional gatherings or get together(s) into a celebratory moment. His passionate love for good company;and too , good eat’n allowed him to warm smiles of the many of whom he often cooked
I will truly miss you Daddy, until we meet again.
Your loving Son, Walter IV
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the many prayers, telephone calls, visits, gifts and comforting acts of kindness. May God bless you richly for these expressions of love during our time of need.
Hamilton
Carver
