Carl Edward Ralston

Mr. Carl Edward Ralston, 97, of Statesville, passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at his home. Mr. Ralston was born in Bluefield, VA. on September 1, 1919, and was the son of the late Carl Arthur Ralston and Alta Garinger Ralston.  He attended Bluefield College where until his death was the oldest living alumni.  He also attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute then earned his degree in Philosophy from St. Mary’s University in Baltimore, MD. On June 20, 1949, he married Alvina “Sue” Hoffman Ralston and together they shared 60 years of marriage until her death on March 29, 2010. Mr. Ralston served in the US Navy during WWII. Mr. Ralston worked his entire career with William T. Burnette & Co.  He moved from Baltimore, MD in 1958 to open the Statesville plant.  He worked as the Plant Manager and Asst. Treasurer until his retirement in 1985. He was a very strong and devoted member of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church where he was the organist for many years.  He was a member of the Statesville Civitan Club as well as the Statesville Tennis Assoc.  He was an avid tennis player and a loyal member of the YMCA.  He loved to swim, play billiards and participate in the Iredell Senior Games.  He also loved his time with his Men’s Morning Out group at the Iredell Senior Center. In addition to his parents and his wife, Sue, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Ralston. Left to cherish his memory is his son, Doug Ralston (Patti) of Statesville and two daughters, Mary Beth Bankson (John) of Wilmington, NC and Lisa Harrell of Leicester, NC.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jason Ralston (Charlotte), Adam Ralston (Kelli), Jeffrey Ralston, and Philip Ralston, all of Statesville, Madeline Bankson and Walker Bankson, both of Wilmington and Josh Ralston of Asheville.  He is further survived by two great-grandchildren, Marley and Jackson Ralston of Statesville. A funeral mass celebrating the life of Carl Ralston will be conducted at 11:00 am Friday, December 9, 2016, at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Thomas Kessler officiating.  The family will visit with friends for one hour prior to the funeral mass.  Burial will follow at a later date in the Ralston family plot, Maple Hill Cemetery, Bluefield, VA. The family would like to extend their sincerest appreciation to their friends of Home Instead as well as Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County for the love and compassion provided during his brief illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 525 Camden Dr., Statesville, NC 28677, or the Statesville Family YMCA, 828 Wesley Dr., Statesville, NC 28677, or the Iredell Senior Center, 344 East Front St., Statesville, NC 28677. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Carl Edward Ralston.