Michael John Ragsdale

Mr. Michael John Ragsdale, 65, passed away Thursday evening, February 3, 2011, at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oak Ridge, TN. Father Bill McKenzie will officiate. Born April 16, 1945 in Oakland, CA, Mr. Ragsdale was a son of the late Dick Orville Ragsdale and Hilda Kathryn Hauserman Ragsdale. He served in the United States Army from May 1963 until April 1965, was a member of the Catholic faith, a member of the Jaycees in Oak Ridge, TN, and a member of the AIM Workers Union at Miller Brewery in Albany, GA. Mr. Ragsdale attended TAT school and worked for Union Carbide at Y-12 in Oak Ridge, TN as a machinist and also at K-25 as a machinist inspector. He worked at the Bull Run Steam Plant and the Kingston Steam Plant in TN. He retired from Miller Brewery in Albany, GA in 2007, after over 30 years of service. Survivors include four daughters, Judith Ragsdale Steelman of Winston-Salem, NC; Beth Reeves of Crestview, FL; Shelley Melton of Crestview, FL; and Cadie Ragsdale of Americus, GA; 2 sons, Michael Ragsdale of Winston-Salem, NC; and John Ragsdale of Pfafftown, NC; 4 sisters, Jean McMillan of Tecumseh, MI; Mona Royston of Oak Ridge, TN; Ann Ragsdale of Oak Ridge, TN; and Marcie Nelson of Oak Ridge, TN; 2 brothers, Ed Ragsdale of Harriman, TN and Doug Ragsdale of Oak Ridge, TN; 7 grandchildren, Ashleigh Ragsdale of Winston-Salem, NC; Robert Steelman, Jr. of Pfafftown, NC; Danielle Steelman of Pfafftown, NC; Catherine Wooden of Americus, GA; Gracie Gilbert of Americus, GA; Addison Reeves of Crestview, FL; and Tommy Ragsdale of Pfafftown, NC. He was preceded in death by a sister, Dixie Hicks, and 2 brothers, Don Ragsdale and Raymond Ragsdale. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Foundation. Hancock Funeral Home, 427 South Lee Street, Americus, GA is in charge of arrangements.