Ralph E. Martin

Ralph E. Martin, 92, Limestone, TN, died Sunday, November 24, 2019 at Johnson City Medical Center.  Born March 25, 1927, he was a lifelong resident of Washington County.  He graduated as valedictorian; class of ’43 from Sulphur Springs High School, and attended the University of Kentucky.  Ralph was a veterinarian, cattle breeder and dairy farmer for 50 years at Long Acre Farms.  He was a former member of the Dairy Board, Co-op Board, JC Power Board for many years. Ralph served on many bank boards and was the Chairman of the Washington County Tax Equalization Board.

Thank you to the doctors, nurses, hospice team and others on the 4300 wing of JC Medical Center for the special care and treatment of Uncle Ralph.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Naomi Ruth Martin; parents, Frank Martin and Maude Hayes Martin Smith; and brother, Kenneth Albert “PeeWee” Smith.

Ralph is survived by his sisters-in-law, Mary “Mickie” Thomas of Limestone, TN, and Imogene Silvers-Smith of Limestone, TN; niece, Amelia Thomas of Limestone, TN; nephews, John Thomas, Jr. (Lisa) of August, WI, and Lewis Thomas (Vicki) of Jonesborough, TN; great-nieces, Rosie T. Kasputis (Will) of Augusta, WI, and Rebeka Thomas of Jonesborough, TN; great-nephews, JC Thomas (Crystal) of Huffman, TX, Daniel Thomas of Augusta, WI, and Noah Thomas (Emily) of Jonesborough, TN; great-great-nieces and nephews, Charlie, Alan, Ava and Sam Huffman, TX; and several cousins.

The family will receive friends from 2-7:00 pm on Friday, November 29, 2019 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Fall Branch. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm.

The graveside service will be held on Saturday at 10:00 am Fairview Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be CW “Bill” Smith, Jr., Jimmy Rector, Franklin Lane, Joey Keys, Harold Pendleton and Charles “Bit” Keys.  Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Fuller, Larry Manis, the Breakfast Bunch at Glendale Grocery, PC Snapp, Don Squibb, Jack Cox, Scott Buckingham and Gen. Ronnie Hite.