Dr. Ralph Edmond Stanley, age 89 passed away Thursday, June 23, 2016 at his residence. He was a lifelong resident of Dickenson County and was of the Primitive Baptist Faith. He was a 1945 graduate of Ervinton High School and a World War II Veteran of the United States Army. Dr. Stanley was a member of the Clintwood Masonic Lodge #66 and a member of the Kazim Shrine in Roanoke, Virginia . He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Lucy Jane Stanley; four brothers, Carter Stanley, Morgan Stanley, Lansing Stanley, and Doc Stanley; four sisters, Ruby Rakes Eubank, Buford Tate, Georgia Armes, and Hattie Stanley; several nieces and nephews, and many loyal Clinch Mountain Boys.
Survivors Include:
His Wife: Jimmi Stanley
Two Daughters: Lisa Joy Stanley Marshall and her husband, Bryan, and Tonya Carletta Stanley Armes and husband Jason.
One Son: Ralph Edmond Stanley II and wife, Kristi
One Step Son: Michael Ray Cheek and wife Tonya
One Brother: Freddie Stanley and wife, Joan of Abingdon, Virginia
Seven Grandchildren: Amber Dawn Stanley, Nathan Edmond Stanley, Evan Matthew Stout, Alexis Faith Marshall, Ashley Hope Marshall, Taylor Brooke Stanley, and Ralph Edmond Stanley III
One Great Granddaughter: Makenzie Paige Stanley
The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at the Hills of Home Park, Smith Ridge Section, McClure, Virginia at 5:00 p.m with a Masonic Service to begin at 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow with Frank Newsome and Eva Murphy officiating. VFW Post 8979 will conduct a VFW graveside service with entombment to follow. Fans are asked to bring a lawn chair if they plan on attending the services.
Pallbearers will be Nathan Stanley, Bryan Marshall, Walter Carlton, Evan Stout, Jason Armes, Ralph Stanley II, and Ralph Stanley III.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Ricky Skaggs, Josh Turner, Jim Lauderdale, Dewey Brown, Ralph Murphy, Bobby Hammons, and any Clinch Mountain Boy present.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shriner’s Childrens’ Hospital or St. Judes.
Appalachian music and heritage has always been strong through Ralph Stanley. He embraced the mountains, the people, and the music. For 70 years, he stood on stage performing, with most of those years accompanied by his clawhammer banjo picking. The skies are weeping in the mountains of Virginia as we say goodbye to the legend that passed away on June 23, 2016 at the age of 89.
