Ralph Clyde Littleton

Ralph Clyde Littleton, 97, of Kingsport, entered into eternal rest and met his Lord and Savior at 1:45 p.m., Sunday, September 24, 2023, at his home following a brief illness.

He was the son of the late Enos and Fannie Light Littleton of Sullivan County. Ralph had lived in this area his entire life. He was saved at age 15. Ralph was always a hard worker, working on the farm until he was old enough to get a job at Tennessee Eastman (now Eastman Chemical) where he worked for more than 41 years.

Ralph married Nancy Irene Mullenix in 1950 and they were married for almost 60 years before Irene’s passing in 2010. They worked hard on their own farm, raising five boys, taking them to church, teaching them about God and the value of hard work.

He and Irene were long-time members of Solomon’s Temple Missionary Baptist Church, where Ralph was the oldest living member. Ralph was active in the church, including song leader, Sunday School teacher and deacon for more than 76 years.

Ralph was a very caring and giving person, who had helped others in many ways by giving of himself, helping people to get to doctor’s appointments, helping with food or wood for heating in winter or whatever was needed. He also visited people in the community and invited them to church. Ralph also spent much time checking on the sick, elderly and those who had lost loved ones.

His main love in life was God, his family, and his church. This has served him well over the years.

In addition to his parents and wife, Ralph was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Laura White Littleton; his brothers, Glen, Bert, Marvin (Jack) and Ray Littleton; and sisters, Effie Light and Marie Honeycutt.

Ralph is survived by five sons, Gary (Usley) Littleton, Donnie (Sharon) Littleton, Robert (Angela) Littleton, Wayne (Lisa) Littleton, all of Kingsport, Wade (Tina) Littleton of Bulls Gap; sisters, Madeline Depew of Fall Branch, and Betty Morelock of Rogersville; grandchildren, Seth (Cara) Bentley, Dr. Rachel (Matt) Hillman all of Knoxville, Julie (Rodney) Lucas, Joshua (Maria) Littleton, Dr. Rebekah (Adam) Wilson, all of Kingsport, Dr. Daniel (Laura) Littleton of Nashville, Lance Abbott of Morristown, Makayla Littleton of North Carolina and Nathaniel Littleton of Bulls Gap and Sam Pearson; great-grandchildren, Max, Wyatt and Lennie Bentley, Gavin, Gabby and Gracee Lucas, Noah and Ryan Hillman, Ira Wilson, Nash, Sawyer, Zoe and Paisley; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many friends.

The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Solomon’s Temple Missionary Baptist Church, located at 7659 Lone Star Road, in the Blair’s Gap community. The Celebration Of Life will be held at 2 p.m. with Pastor Dan Dolen and Pastor Chip McLain officiating. Singing will be provided by Nathan Mullenix, Chip McLain, Alan Mahaffey, and Amy Gregory.

The graveside service will immediately follow in the church cemetery with Bro. Paul Overbay officiating.

Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles and C.J. Mullenix, Bob and Jimmy Phillips.

The family offers special thanks to Visiting Angels Home Healthcare, Amedisys Home Healthcare, caregivers Mindy, Fred and Karen as well as Lisa and Sharon Littleton for their excellent care for Ralph in his last days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Solomon’s Temple Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 7659 Lone Star Rd, Kingsport, TN 37660.