Ralph Edward Rives

Ralph was born in Leake County, Mississippi, to Frank and Olivia (Thomas) Rives on June 10, 1931. He graduated from Lena High School in 1948, East Central Junior College in 1950 and Mississippi State University in 1954. Ralph enjoyed a 59-year marriage to Nancy Herrington Rives.

Ralph was blessed in that he was reared in a Christian home, where at a young age he was taught to love God, his country and his fellow man. He always strived to lend a helping hand to others.

Ralph served as a member of the Mississippi National Guard from 1949 until 1958, except for 20 months of active duty during the Korean War from January 1951 until August 1952. As a Private in the U.S. Army, he was chosen for Officer Training School at a young age, rapidly advancing to First Lieutenant. During the Korean War, he primarily served the Medical Corps of the Seventh Cavalry.

After the war, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy at Mississippi State University and began work on his Master’s degree. Ralph was employed as a farm loan appraiser for the Prudential Insurance Company of America from 1954 to 1961. He lived in Greenville, Mississippi, and in Blytheville, Arkansas, during his years with Prudential.

Wishing to return to Mississippi, Ralph accepted a position with Reid-McGee & Company in Jackson as a mortgage loan appraiser. He advanced to executive vice president and stock owner in what became Cameron-Brown South, Inc. He started and led the Commercial Loan Department. One of his most satisfying achievements was putting together the mortgage on the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center.

Ralph retired from Cameron-Brown South in 1982. He fully intended to spend his time at Triple R Farms, where he raised registered Polled Hereford cattle, and to do more hunting and fishing. However, he took on the reappraisal of commercial properties in the City of Jackson. He and his son Eddie later decided to establish Rives & Company, which began as a home building company in 1983 and expanded into a family business where Nancy, Jay and LeAnn all contributed. Ralph also developed subdivisions and was the primary developer of Oak Hollow subdivision in Madison where he and Nancy moved in 1989.

Ralph enjoyed his alma mater and was honored to be named the First Executive in Residence in Real Estate and Mortgage Finance at Mississippi State University. He taught classes there in 1988 and 1990. Some of Ralph’s professional affiliations included member with MAI designation of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, member with Senior Real Property Appraiser (SRPA) designation of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers and past-president, Certified Mortgage Banker designation of Mortgage Bankers Association of America and past-president of the Mississippi Association.

Ralph was a member of Colonial Heights Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Deacons, Chairman of the Building Committee and the Finance Committee. He also served as a youth and adult Sunday school teacher among other positions. Ralph always believed that God has a plan and a purpose for every life and that part of God's plan for his life was showing Christ’s love to others through service to his church and community.

For 18 years, Ralph served on the board of trustees of the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. He received the most satisfaction from those projects that would benefit the health of the most people such as the development of the Colonnades in Jackson and the HealthPlex in Clinton.

Family was of utmost importance to Ralph. He was a devoted husband to the former Nancy Herrington of Union, Mississippi, marrying in June 1953. Ralph thoroughly enjoyed family reunions and holidays. He loved to laugh over stories with family and friends and was known to laugh so hard at times that it would bring tears to his eyes.

Ralph is survived by his wife; his brother, Frank Thomas Rives of Decatur, MS; his three children, Eddie Rives (LeAnn Harryman), Jay Rives (Sandie Wilbanks), and Sandra Rives Monohan (Jamie) of Madison, MS; four grandsons, Nathan Rives (Jessica Flood), Justin Rives (Cristie Green), Ryan Rives and Wesley Monohan; five great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Ralph was predeceased by his brother, W.B. Rives of Jackson; sister, Lexie Allen of Carthage; and grandson, Christopher Rives.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 25 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland. Funeral services will be held at the chapel of Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland at 2 p.m. on Saturday with visitation beforehand at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Wright & Ferguson Parkway Cemetery in Ridgeland.

Pallbearers will be David Rives, Steve Rives, Phil Rhinewalt, Nathan Rives, Justin Rives, Ryan Rives, Jamie Monohan and Bob Hardin.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Ministries of Ridgeland.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.wrightferguson.com.