Obituary for Ralph L. Fitzgerald
Ralph LeCount Fitzgerald quietly left us July 21, 2020 at his home in Blackstone, Virginia. Ralph was born to Floyd and Lacy Fitzgerald on February 18,1956.
Dedicated to Christ as an infant, he was raised in the Mount Gazerine Baptist Church family. Ralph was one of the first black students to integrate Blackstone Public Schools. He graduated from Nottoway Senior High School in 1974. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Virginia State College (now University).
Ralph was employed in various positions in the food industry. He worked in Petersburg, Richmond and New York City. When he fell into the grip of substance abuse, those who loved him did not let that define him. (Hold your angels close and fight FOR them not WITH them). He greeted you with a smile and infectious laugh.. He always had a story and an opinion on everything , which he gladly shared. He was a devoted son, brother, uncle cousin and friend.
Ralph was greeted in transition by his parents, Floyd and Lacy; sisters, Dorinda Bridgeforth and Floydette McCoy-Patterson; nephew, W. Yahonne Garris II; and brothers-in-law, Gregory McCoy and Allen Bridgeforth Sr.
He is survived by his sisters, Barbara Garris (Walter) and Jacqueline Fitzgerald-Robinson (Jerome); nephews, Allen Jr., Sean, Jerome II, Joshua and Jared; niece, Ashley; brother-in-law, James Patterson; caregivers, Ethel and Charita Coleman; honorary brothers, Keith Johnson, James Rather, Aubrey Cousins, Zachery Maddux, Jimmy Wynn, Thomas Taylor; and a village of family and friends.
One of these mornings, it won't be long, You will look for me and I'll be gone. Going to Glory to sing and shout. There'll be nobody there to put me out. I'm going away, I'm going away. Walter Hawkins
Memorial Services for Ralph will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 11:00 AM at W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home, Blackstone.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ralph's honor to the National Kidney Foundation.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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Dedicated to Christ as an infant, he was raised in the Mount Gazerine Baptist Church family. Ralph was one of the first black students to integrate Blackstone Public Schools. He graduated from Nottoway Senior High School in 1974. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Virginia State College (now University).
Ralph was employed in various positions in the food industry. He worked in Petersburg, Richmond and New York City. When he fell into the grip of substance abuse, those who loved him did not let that define him. (Hold your angels close and fight FOR them not WITH them). He greeted you with a smile and infectious laugh.. He always had a story and an opinion on everything , which he gladly shared. He was a devoted son, brother, uncle cousin and friend.
Ralph was greeted in transition by his parents, Floyd and Lacy; sisters, Dorinda Bridgeforth and Floydette McCoy-Patterson; nephew, W. Yahonne Garris II; and brothers-in-law, Gregory McCoy and Allen Bridgeforth Sr.
He is survived by his sisters, Barbara Garris (Walter) and Jacqueline Fitzgerald-Robinson (Jerome); nephews, Allen Jr., Sean, Jerome II, Joshua and Jared; niece, Ashley; brother-in-law, James Patterson; caregivers, Ethel and Charita Coleman; honorary brothers, Keith Johnson, James Rather, Aubrey Cousins, Zachery Maddux, Jimmy Wynn, Thomas Taylor; and a village of family and friends.
One of these mornings, it won't be long, You will look for me and I'll be gone. Going to Glory to sing and shout. There'll be nobody there to put me out. I'm going away, I'm going away. Walter Hawkins
Memorial Services for Ralph will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 11:00 AM at W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home, Blackstone.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ralph's honor to the National Kidney Foundation.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of Ralph L. Fitzgerald, visit the Tribute Store.
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