Ralph Darlington

He was born November 6th, 1947, to parents Mason and Hucie Mann Darlington in the hills of Summers Co. West Virginia. After proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force, Ralph returned to mountains where he built a loving home and cherished raising his family. Ralph enjoyed making many memories with his two sons and his wife Tomi. He worked as a paramedic for many years before becoming an insurance agent. He was a Christian man, attending Hollywood Missionary Baptist then later the IHeart Church, and was aware of how blessed his life was—ensuring he never took it for granted.

In his younger years he was an avid runner, participating in weekend races, as he got older though he turned to reading, going through books almost as fast as he went through races years before. He loved his family deeply and there was almost nothing he preferred over vacationing with his family on the beach and spending time with his grandsons. When the beach was too far, he would settle for going out to dinner with his family (only at sit-down restaurants) to catch up. He will be remembered by everyone who knew him as a kind, loving, and funny man that always knew just how to make everyone smile even the ones he liked to pick on.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by sisters Caroline Sue “Susie” Darlington, Patty Canon, Ruby Alice Akers (Bernard), and Shirley Peters (Bill).

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Tomi Peck Darlington; sons Russell Darlington (wife Kim), and Andrew Darlington (wife Natoshia); cherished grandsons Jack Darlington and Nolan Darlington; a special niece Jenny Lynn Runyon; and many extended family and friends.

Services by Pastor Aaron Wood will be held at 1pm October 13th at Blue Ridge Funeral Home in Beckley WV with committal to occur at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens following. Friends and Family are invited to visit for one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

In Lieu of Flowers the family requests those wishing to honor his memory make a donation to the Raleigh County Humane Society, following his passion both for animals and charity.