Obituary of Dollie Ralph
Dollie Newsom was born in Pike County, Kentucky on September 27, 1932. She was raised in a family with ten siblings from the union of Preston and Oma (Branham) Newsom.
Dollie married Earl Newsome and from this union they were blessed with two children. Earl passed away on November 6, 1957. Dollie then married Richard Ralph, on December 23, 1961. Spending time with her family brought Dollie much joy and she cared for their needs as a homemaker. For many years, the family worshipped at Dundee Baptist Church.
Dollie cherished the beauty of creation. She spent countless hours tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. Being a great cook, her annual autumn harvest led to delicious Southern dishes and she continued a time-honored tradition of canning, a skill she had learned at a young age.
Dollie was quite proud of her children and grandchildren. After Richard’s passing on September 5, 2011, she would make her home with her daughter, and their relationship further blossomed.
Dollie Ralph, age 88, of Garden City, Michigan formerly of Carleton, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 21, 2020 at her daughter’s home. In addition to her father Preston Newsom, mother Oma Reynolds, step father Oscar Reynolds and both of her husband’s her passing was preceded by a son: Bobby Gene Newsome; two sisters: Christine Newsom and Thelma Clark; and five brothers: Minus Newsom, Omer Reynolds, James Reynolds, Vernon Reynolds, and Kenneth Reynolds.
To cherish her memory, she leaves a daughter: Pamela Lewis of Garden City; a daughter-in-law: Janet Newsome of Carleton; two sisters: Geneva (George) Wright and Wanda (Albert Junior) Patierno, one brother: Miles Jefferson “M.J.” (Lana) Reynolds; four grandchildren: Angela (Douglas) Nance, Bobby (Chasity) Newsome, Brian (Kristin) Newsome, Kelsey (Aaron) Zupancic; and seven great grandchildren: Aaron, Dougie,Brian, Chloe, A.J., Emma, and Kora.
Friends may gather from 5:00pm until 9:00pm on Sunday, December 27, 2020 at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 10:00am on Monday, December 28, 2020 also at Merkle’s with Pastor Roy Southerland officiating. Services will be broadcast live via the Merkle Funeral Service FACEBOOK page. Procession will follow to St. John Cemetery in Ypsilanti for burial.
Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.