Ralph F. Birdwell
May 13, 1935 — July 20, 2012
Ralph F. Birdwell
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Ralph F. Birdwell, 77, of Kingsport, went peacefully into the arms of Jesus Friday, July 20th with his family by his side at Vanderbilt Medical Center.
He was born in Knox County on May 13, 1935, the son of the late Lee and Ella Birdwell. He was a member of Sullivan Baptist Church. Ralph was a graduate of Sullivan High School and served in the U. S. Army. He retired from Mead Paper Company after 30 years of service.
Ralph enjoyed playing softball particularly with the Tri-Cities Seniors and played until he was 70 years old. He thoroughly enjoyed woodworking in his basement shop. Most of all he was a loving and caring husband, daddy, and granddaddy. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren excel in academics and sports. Ralph was well known for his entertaining wit and story telling and captivated many audiences with both.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and four sisters.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen Shipp Birdwell; daughter, Sabra Ewers and husband Kevin; son, Eric Birdwell and wife Becky; grandsons, Garrett and Mason Ewers, and Dalton Birdwell; granddaughter, Camryn Birdwell, all of Kingsport; sister, Joan Morelock of Kingsport; brothers, Robert Birdwell of Powell, TN, Ernest Birdwell of Hendersonville, TN, and Eddie Birdwell of Nashville, TN; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 23rd at Sullivan Baptist Church. A celebration of life will follow at 7 p.m. with Pastor Jeff Strong officiating.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 24th in Oak Hill Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Mike Baldwin, Mike McLain, Shane Kirk, Joe Harrold, Mike Pearson, and Eddie Williams.
Honorary pallbearers are Kenneth Conkin, Bennie Carroll, Eddie Greene, Gary Dykes, Randy Hammond, and Joseph Lingerfelt.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sullivan Baptist Church Building Fund, 4152 Maplewood, Kingsport, TN 37660.
Ralph F. Birdwell, 77, of Kingsport, went peacefully into the arms of Jesus Friday, July 20th with his family by his side at Vanderbilt Medical Center.
He was born in Knox County on May 13, 1935, the son of the late Lee and Ella Birdwell. He was a member of Sullivan Baptist Church. Ralph was a graduate of Sullivan High School and served in the U. S. Army. He retired from Mead Paper Company after 30 years of service.
Ralph enjoyed playing softball particularly with the Tri-Cities Seniors and played until he was 70 years old. He thoroughly enjoyed woodworking in his basement shop. Most of all he was a loving and caring husband, daddy, and granddaddy. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren excel in academics and sports. Ralph was well known for his entertaining wit and story telling and captivated many audiences with both.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and four sisters.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen Shipp Birdwell; daughter, Sabra Ewers and husband Kevin; son, Eric Birdwell and wife Becky; grandsons, Garrett and Mason Ewers, and Dalton Birdwell; granddaughter, Camryn Birdwell, all of Kingsport; sister, Joan Morelock of Kingsport; brothers, Robert Birdwell of Powell, TN, Ernest Birdwell of Hendersonville, TN, and Eddie Birdwell of Nashville, TN; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 23rd at Sullivan Baptist Church. A celebration of life will follow at 7 p.m. with Pastor Jeff Strong officiating.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 24th in Oak Hill Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Mike Baldwin, Mike McLain, Shane Kirk, Joe Harrold, Mike Pearson, and Eddie Williams.
Honorary pallbearers are Kenneth Conkin, Bennie Carroll, Eddie Greene, Gary Dykes, Randy Hammond, and Joseph Lingerfelt.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sullivan Baptist Church Building Fund, 4152 Maplewood, Kingsport, TN 37660.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph F. Birdwell, please visit our flower store.
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