David "Dave" Ralston

David "Dave" Luther Ralston

Jackson, Tennessee

David  “Dave” Luther Ralston died the morning of September 30, 2019. He passed peacefully with his loving wife and devoted dog, Maggie May, by his side.

He is survived by his wife, Leora Jean Ralston; his children, Teresa Littrell McSweeney (Jonathan), Jeana Littrell, and Garey “Chip” Raleigh Littrell, Jr. (April); grandchildren, Katie Munoz (Shazer), Nico McSweeney, Christine Black (Robert), Logan West, Austin McDaniel (Mindi), Hayden West, Alex Littrell, Lydia Roeder, Trey Littrell, Zac Littrell; great-grandchildren, Troy McDaniel, Eva Sopia Munoz, Brooke McDaniel (due in December), and Baby Munoz (due in April); beloved nieces and nephews; his sister, Judy Ralston Brooks; sister-in-law Jane Ralston; and his mother-in-law Eva Butler Riles Crow.

In addition to his parents, He was preceded in death by his brothers Doug, Walt and Greg Ralston.

Dave was born in Fort Worth Texas, graduated from Southwest Texas State University and completed his Masters in City Planning from Memphis State University. He served both the Memphis City and Shelby County City Planning Departments from 1978-1998. He was proud of his work on the Board of Trustees for the Memphis Interfaith Hospitality Network. He was an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Tennessee where he chaired the Room at the Inn and various committees. He moved to Jackson, Tennessee in 1998 where he served as Director of Community Development for the Jackson Housing Authority, playing an instrumental role in securing federal grant funding to rebuild East Jackson and development for downtown projects after the devastating tornadoes. He was an active member at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Jackson and the Wisdom Seekers Sunday School Class. In reference to his numerous professional accomplishments he would say, “never judge your success by what you have achieved, but rather how others take your achievements and make them better.” His work in public housing exemplified his belief in human rights, in treating all people with dignity and compassion.

If you visit Dave and Jean’s home, you will see that Dave put his Tennessee Master Gardener classes to good use in his amazingly landscaped garden. On the weekend, you would likely find him rooting for University of Memphis or the University of Texas Longhorns. He loved celebrating holidays with his family, and always opened his home to friends. Dave’s most favorite thing in the world was adding pages to the “Luther and Leora” love story. In his wedding vows he wrote, “And one day, when I leave this earth, God willing, I will be there with angels waiting for you.”

Home-going celebration and memorial service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on North Parkway at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, October 6th, 2019. The family received friends from 2:00 P.M. until the service hour on Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to Aldersgate Methodist Church, 1050 North Pkwy, Jackson, TN 38301, or the Area Relief Ministries 108 N Church St, Jackson, TN 38301.

Online registry at MedinaFuneralHome.com

Medina Funeral Home & Cremation Service

302 W. Church Avenue - Medina, Tennessee 38355