Dorothy Phebus Ralph

Dorothy Jeanette Phebus Ralph, 92, of Palestine, Texas went to be with her Lord on April 23, 2019. She was born in Cockleburr, Tennessee on December 16, 1926 to Martin Albert (Jack) Phebus and Gladys Lee Gregory. She was married to the love of her life, James Maley “Jim” Ralph for almost 49 years. They both grew up in Covington, Tennessee, were baptized in the same First Baptist Church, and graduated from the same high school. The family moved from Memphis, Tennessee, to Seabrook then Bacliff, Texas in the late 1960s.

After graduating from high school, Dorothy worked as an insurance secretary in Covington prior to being employed as a civilian stenographer at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Millington, Tennessee. Dorothy was a homemaker and after moving to Texas, she was employed as lead Secretary of Bay Area Baptist Church in League City.

Where ever Dorothy and her family lived, she was an active church member, often teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir. At her passing, she was a member of First Baptist Church, Elkhart, Texas.

Dorothy and Jim loved to travel and did extensively after his retirement. She enjoyed yardwork and gardening, but mostly enjoyed hosting her family. Many a Christmas and Easter dinner were spent at the long dining table fashioned by Jim. She enjoyed expressing herself in writing and penned several books for her family and her love for them and God.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband. Dorothy is survived by her children: James Michael Ralph and wife Jill of Palestine, Texas; Linda Elaine Hitt and husband Ricky of Jarrell, Texas; Catherine Ann German and husband Roy of Bullard, Texas; and Cynthia Lynn Crisp and husband Carl of Elkhart, Texas. She has nine grandchildren: Michael Wayne Ralph and wife Diana of Baytown, Texas; Jason Allen Ralph and wife Jena of Baytown, Texas; Lisa Marie Hitt Cox and husband Rich of Bryan, Texas; Robert Delton Hitt and wife Mandy of Lubbock; Texas, Robert Charles Reel and wife Sarah of Tarkington, Texas; Colleen Marie Crisp Benefield and husband Josh of Austin, Texas; Laura Michelle Hitt of Round Rock, Texas; Dorinda Ann Gonzales of Bacliff, Texas; Casey Lee Crisp and wife Sherrill of Houston, Texas; and twenty great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home and Cemetery with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28201.