Barbara Jean Ralph

Barbara Jean Ralph, 88, of Kingsport, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday afternoon, September 16, at her residence. She was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia in 1937, the daughter of Garland and Martha Ellison Wilson. Barbara was a devoted Christian; a member of the Church of Emmaus and had been a school teacher for 30 years. Her husband, Pastor James Ralph, was a Nazarene Pastor. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, a great-grandmother and always hoped there would be ice cream in heaven.

Barbara was predeceased in death by her parents; her husband of 69 years, James Ralph; a daughter, Miriam Collins; brothers, Garland “Bud” Wilson, Jr. and Phillip Wilson; and sister, Mari Lou McKinney.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Ethan Ralph (Tonya) and Mark Ralph (Holly); son-in-law, David Collins; sisters: Carol Wotring (Bill) and Donna Sellers (Steve); sister-in-law, Jodi Wilson; brother in-law, Danny McKinney; grandchildren, Abigail Bowen (Matt), Solomon Collins (Haley), Luke Collins, James Ralph, Jesse Ralph, Braden Ralph and Ashlyn Kinnard (Terry); great-grandchildren, Boone Collins, Stetson Bowen, Steelie Bowen, Ava Kinnard, Weston Kinnard and Caroline Kinnard; and, 10 nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00pm, Saturday, September 20, 2025, in the chapel of Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Blountville. A funeral service will follow at 2:00pm officiated by Dr. Phil Kidd. Entombment will be held in the Mausoleum of Hope.

Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Barbara Jean Ralph.