Ralph Edward Blair
Ralph Edward Blair, age 59, of Alcoa, left the loving arms of his wife and family to walk into the arms of his loving Savior on Friday, January 25, 2013, at Kindred Healthcare after a long battle with kidney disease. Ralph was an avid camper and fisherman. He loved to spend time with his three grandsons. Ralph worked at Burress Company for 25 years, and Chevron-Phillips until retirement. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralphie Rex and Lennis U. Henderson Blair. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Debbie Ricketts Blair; children, Ralph and Stephanie “Trupie” Blair, Ashley and fiancé, James O’Brien; grandsons, Tyler, Jordan, and Austin Blair; father and mother-in-law, H.G. and Evelyn Ricketts; sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Robbie Wood, and Maxie and Mark Prater; and nephews, Joe Carrell, Randall and Jesse Prater. We want to thank the staff of Kindred Healthcare for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the funeral home. Funeral service will be held 7 p.m. Monday, January 28, 2013, at Miller Funeral Home, Cedar Chapel with Rev. Tim Fleeger and Rev. Will Whitehead officiating. The interment will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at New Providence Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday at Miller Funeral Home, Maryville, 865-982-6041, http://www.millerfuneralhome.org
