Martha Lee Peek Ragsdale, 94, of Hixson went home to be with the Lord July 30, 2026. She was born December 22, 1931 and grew up on a farm in Valley Head, AL. Martha had a sister, Delores, brothers, James and Arnold, and she was a triplet sister to Mary Dee and Marjoree. She was a past member of Lupton Drive and Oakwood Baptist Church. She married John Henry Ragsdale in October, 1950 and they moved to Chattanooga.
Martha worked for DuPont in the mid-60’s through the 70’s. After retirement, Martha enjoyed traveling, visiting her family, boating and gardening. She became a licensed barber and worked part-time in Hixson. During the 90’s, she walked most days at Northgate Mall and logged many miles earning numerous walking awards. She was an avid collector of Beanie Babies in the late 90’s and would stand in line for hours to be able to purchase a new release.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John; parents, Ben and Nora Peek, and was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors are her sons, John Michael (Babs) Ragsdale, Chattanooga; Gerald Lee Ragsdale of Ripley, TN; grandchildren Ryan (Amanda) Ragsdale of Nacogdoches, TX; Brittany Ragsdale Patterson, Chattanooga; Blake (Kady) Ragsdale of Ripley, TN; Haylee and Kylee Ragsdale of Cleveland, TN, and great-grandsons Haze Patterson, Tom and Charlie Ragsdale, Cooper Woodruff Ragsdale, and many special nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on August 7, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at The Chattanooga National Cemetery with Dr. Courtney Krueger of First Cumberland Presbyterian officiating. Prior to the service, there will be a visitation from 9 am to noon at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Special thanks to The Solomon House for their attentive care in her final days and her at-home caregivers, Carol Long, Lindsey Menne and the late Nancy Browder.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or the Alzheimer’s Association.
The Chattanooga Funeral Home - North Chapel is honored to serve the Ragsdale family during this difficult time of loss.
