Ralph Allen Powell

Ralph Allen Powell After being blessed with a life filled with love, family and happiness, at the age of 83 Ralph went to be with the Lord on January 2, 2016. Although born in Romney West Virginia in 1932, Ralph spent the last 54 years of his life as a resident of Manassas, and was very active in many areas of the community, such as Manassas Baptist Church where he enjoyed singing as a bass in the choir, Kiwanis, coaching little league baseball, and an active member of the Manassas Volunteer Fire Department for many years. After serving his country in the Navy, completing a tour on the destroyer, USS Kennedy during the Korean War conflict, Ralph headed back to Northern Virginia where he met the girl of his dreams, Molly Anne Harding and they quickly married after a short courtship – with the marriage lasting more than 61 years until his last breath with each day filled with love, commitment, mutual respect and blessed by the grace of God. Ralph enjoyed a 31 year career with the state of Virginia, with the majority of his tenure as an Inspector with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Some would say strangely ironic that the man who seldom drank alcohol and only then if it was made with ice cream, to routinely have to go undercover to bars to ensure alcohol distribution compliance to laws and regulations. Outside of his family and connecting with friends – existing friends as well as new ones he made routinely every day as a result of his gentle, warm, and inviting demeanor – he developed a passion for golf which started as a result of joining Evergreen Country Club in his late 30’s and lasted until a few years ago when it became too difficult for him to make it around the course. His wife and son also developed this same passion for golf which became another way to spend time together. For those playing golf with Ralph for the first time, they often stared in dismay as he hit the ball, or that he could even make contact with the ball – not having learned the game in the traditional manner, Ralph learned to play golf using an unorthodox cross-handed grip. He is survived by his wife Molly Anne, his daughter Roxie Anne Gray and her husband Jim Collier, his son Ralph Allen Powell, Jr (aka: Ron), his sisters Mary Dean Manning and Monie Campbell, his half-sister Linda Santos, his 4 grandchildren Benjamin Joseph Gray (aka: BJ) and his wife Tina, Justin Gray and his wife Kristen, Amanda Powell and Adam Powell; and his 2 great grandchildren Savannah and Harper Gray. He is predeceased by his daughter Robin Powell; and his siblings Mildred Cofer, Bill Powell, Bob Powell, Carol Marie McKay (aka: Cookie) and Delorse Powell. There are people who are a part of your life's journey that touch and change you in intangible ways. Ralph Powell knew how to give the gift of joy. He always had a smile and a hug. He never knew a stranger and accepted all for who they were. He welcomed whoever was brought to his door without question or judgment. Ralph, my husband, our father, our brother, our grandfather, and our friend, for all you were to the many who knew and loved you and all you will continue to be through your children, grandchildren, and great children...you will be forever in our hearts. Arrangements are being handled by Pierce Funeral Home, with a Memorial Service being held at Manassas Baptist Church on January 16, 2016 at 12:00 noon, family will receive friends on January 16th from 10:30am – 12:00 noon. The family kindly requests memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, should be made to the Manassas Baptist Church Operating Fund and can be forwarded to the following address: 8800 Sudley Road, Manassas VA 20110.

Ralph Allen Powell

October 14, 1932 - January 2, 2016