Apostle Randolph Ragland of Gordonsville, VA, passed away peacefully at the Martha Jefferson Hospital on Monday, May 11, 2015, surrounded by his family and a host of parishioners and friends. He was born July 5, 1925, in Louisa County, Virginia, the son of the late John Wesley Ragland and Earline Lewis Ragland Maupin.

He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, First Lady Ruth Ragland, thirteen children and their spouses: Reginald Winston, LaVerne Coleman, Bishop-Elect James Ragland (Jane), Minister R. Wesley Ragland (Lois), Emily Watson (Jesse), Aretha Banks (Edward), Sheila White (Charles), June Robinson (Nelson), Charlotte Bacon, Wallace Ragland (Brenda), David Ragland (Darleen), Rachel Churchman (James), and Moses Ragland. He is also survived by 34 grandchildren, 57 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, a god-daughter, Calethia Askew, four brothers: Robert, Matthew, George and Carl, one sister Flora Washington, three sisters-in-law: Marjorie Ragland, Evvie Ragland and Esther Winston, a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by six brothers, five sisters, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law and one great granddaughter, three brother-in-laws and one sister-in-law.

Apostle Ragland was educated in the Louisa County Public School system. He received an honorary doctorate degree from the Kentucky College of Contemporary Religion, Lexington, KY. In his early years he was trained as a licensed barber, but never practiced the profession. Later he entered into his chosen profession as an auto-body repairman. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946.

Apostle Ragland was married for more than 67 years to the former Ruth Elizabeth Winston of Richmond, VA.

He served as pastor of the House of God, Gordonsville, VA, for 54 years. He also served the national church organization on the Board of Apostles, Credential Board, and in several other capacities. On his 50th pastoral anniversary he received honors from the County of Louisa and the President of the United States. He loved and was loved and respected by the churches in the community. He was a mentor, an advisor and a spiritual father to many. He lived a full life and accomplished much.

There will be a viewing and a service to celebrate his life held at the House of God Church, 5442 Columbia Rd., Gordonsville¸ VA, at 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 18, 2015.

Family and friends are asked to assemble at the Holy Church of God, 5442 Columbia Road, Gordonsville, VA at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday for the procession to the church.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Temple Of Deliverance HCG, 5756 Zachary Taylor Highway, Mineral, Virginia 23117 with Apostle G. Randolph Dailey officiating and Apostle Thomas E. Clark as eulogist. Interment with military honors will follow in the House of God Cemetery.