Ralph Ables Burke

Ralph Ables Burke of Gadsden, AL, went home to be with the Lord on July 3, 2025, at age 65, after an extended illness. A native of Rainsville, AL, Ralph graduated from Jacksonville State University in 1983 with a degree in Physical Education. He furthered his education with the university earning both a master’s degree in education administration, and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree. His early career was spent in secondary education in DeKalb County at Valley Head High School and Adamsburg Junior High. He rendered distinguished service in the Alabama Legislature as a Representative from DeKalb County. At the time of his first election in 1983, Ralph was the youngest ever house member at 23 years of age. At that time, George Wallace was serving as Governor. Ralph’s father was a strong Wallace supporter, and that connection gave Ralph a special relationship with Governor Wallace. As the youngest house member, Governor Wallace worked especially hard to win Ralph’s support. Ralph’s ability to develop these type relationships allowed him to be very successful for his district in Dekalb County. Ralph was selected to serve on the powerful Ways and Means committee in his second term. This committee was responsible for writing the budgets for the State of Alabama. Ralph served in the Alabama Legislature until 1998 alongside his dear friend Richard Lindsey and many others.

After his stint in the Alabama legislature, he joined Jacksonville State University-Gadsden Center where he served as director until 2016 and continued to serve Jax State as the Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Community Relations until his retirement in 2018. Never one to truly retire, Ralph continued to work for the office of the President assisting with community relations efforts. Ralph truly loved his years serving Jacksonville State University and the many relationships he made there. Ralph also became a realtor in 2020, working most recently with River Towne Real Estate Group and served on the Northeast Alabama Association of Realtors.

In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Ralph served his community in many ways throughout his life. He pastored Union Hill Baptist Church in the Fischer community on Lookout Mountain for several years during the 1980s. He also founded and led the southern gospel music group, “Inheritance,” in the 1990s, traveling across the country and performing at the annual Southern Gospel Music Convention. He served on the Executive Board of leadership Etowah, and as chair of the Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority. He was also a longtime board member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, service from 1994 to 2006. He was a founding member of Etowah C.A.R.E.S (Community Alliance for Revitalization, Economic Development and Schools) and a member of the Gadsden Rotary Club.

Ralph had a great love for his family. He and his beloved wife, Joy, cherished their time together whether it was going to JSU or Alabama football games, visiting with family and friends, staying home or getting in the car and driving for hours down the back roads listening to Ralph’s extensive playlists. He always managed to play and sing his favorite song for Joy, “I’ll Still Be Loving You” by Restless Heart. He had the best time with his young grandson, KC, teaching him to play golf, kick a football, or cooking his favorite foods. Ralph also loved going on monthly lunch dates with his siblings, family gatherings at his brother Joe’s house picnicking under the trees, and spending time with extended family. He always looked forward to those special times with them.

He greatly loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ralph and Joy were members of MeadowBrook Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir and soaking up the weekly messages by Pastor Randy Gunter. He attended Todd Hindsman’s life group, and with his quick wit and fun sense of humor, Ralph always managed to add a bit of entertainment. He was also a faithful member of Tom Beaube’s Monday night small group for the last several years and cherished those special friends. Ralph loved to study the Bible and took many notes for personal growth and spiritual development. He was a strong man of faith, a deep thinker and always had a unique perspective on the Word. His love for the Lord was evident in the amount of time he spent in worship and prayer.

Ralph is known most of all as a trusted friend to countless people, a servant leader and mentor to many, a dedicated family man, and one of his proudest roles – as “HeyDay” to his grandchildren.

He was extremely humble, and considered himself an “average man,” but Ralph was so much more than that. He was extraordinary!

Ralph is survived by his wife, Joy Downey Burke, daughters, Sally Ann Williams (John), and CamiLee Downey, grandsons, KC Williams, Timothy Williams (Tiffany), Joey Williams, brothers, Ed Burke (Nell), Joe Burke (Pam), sister, Martha Beth Daniel (Vaughn), mother-in-law, Sue Ford, brother-in law, Greg Ford, sister-in-law, Susan Ford, uncle, Ed Ables (Linda), nieces, Heather Shankles (JT), Cia Lindsey (Jason), Joanna Burke, Marybeth Crawford (Bryan), Morgan Ford, nephew, Brandon Ford, great nieces, Kaylyn Goggans, Kristin Shankles, Jadie Lindsey, Jordana Lindsey, and many cousins.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Edmond G. Burke and Mary Anice Ables Burke, father-in-law, Gary Ford, sister-in-law, Meleah Ford, and many aunts and uncles.

Pallbearers are Greg Hewitt, Tom Beaube, Jesse Battles, Kevin Dupree, Jonathan Hewitt, Greg Ford, Brandon Ford, and Justus Venn.

Honorary Pallbearers are Richard Lindsey, Craig Ford, Dr. Don Killingsworth, Jr., John Moore, Red Etheredge, Keith Riley, Tim Lett, Jesse Gamez, John Stone, and the C.A.R.E.S. founding board members.

The family would like to thank the following who provided excellent care and compassion during his illness: Dr. Richard Dietham, Dr. Merle Wade, Dr. Jeremy Goodwin, UAB St. Vincent’s East doctors, nurses, SICU, MICU, and St. Vincent’s Blount hospital, rehab, and ER staff.

Services will be held at MeadowBrook Church on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 PM with a celebration of life service at 2:00 PM and burial following at Geraldine First Baptist Church.

Services to be officiated by Pastor Randy Gunter, Dr. Chris Watkins, and speaker Tom Beaube.

Memorials to be made to JSU Foundation/Philanthropic Services and Alabama Baptist Children’s Home.

We will love you forever, HeyDay. – Your family

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1