Ralph Sledge

OBITUARY The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delights in his way. Psalm 37:23   In life there are three main stages that we will go thru.  The first stage is (Birth); second stage is life (Living); and the third stage is our departure (Death).  Now my departure is at hand, I, Ralph Anthony Sledge leave behind my love, legacy and the many memories that we shared.   **HIS BIRTH** A time to be born: To everything there is a season and time to every purpose under the heaven Ralph Anthony Sledge was born on December 27, 1954 in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Mr. Lafayette Holmes and Mrs. Mary Louise (Sledge) Holmes.   **HIS LIFE** A time to Live: Ralph confessed his love for the Lord at an early age and later join Shiloh Baptist Church under late Reverend Sterling Pipkins.  Ralph attend the Brighton School System being a man of great strength, he served eleven years in the US Navy.  After serving his country,  he returned back to Birmingham, Alabama. It wasn’t long before he moved to Montgomery, Alabama and established his own business; Holmes Industrial Painting Inc. Ralph lived his life to the fullest, he was the life of all the family gatherings, sharing his music, dances, and laughter.  All of his spare time was spent with his girls and his grandchildren that he loved dearly.  Every morning his children and grand kids were certain to awake to a home cooked breakfast before they started their day to work or school.    He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22 On March 22,1977 he married the love of his life Delores (Brown) Sledge and to their union they were blessed with three beautiful girls.    PAGE 3 **HIS DEPARTURE**  A time to Die: On Wednesday, March 15, 2017 he answered the call from God at approximately 1:30a.m. in the morning, God said “Ralph your departure is at hand and your earthly journey has ended, you will now cross over into your eternal life.”  He heard the voice from heaven say “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13     Even though you will be truly missed by his family and friends, we find comfort knowing to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  He was preceded in death by, his parents, Layfette Holmes (father), Mary Louise (Sledge) Holmes (mother), Dennis James Holmes (brother), Lafayette Holmes Jr.(brother) and Annette Louise Holmes (sister).   **HIS MEMOREIES** A Time to Keep: Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 Ralph certainly valued and loved his girls and grand-children.  He took great pride in their lives and accomplishments.  Remaining to celebrate his legacy is his devoted wife :  Delores (Brown) Sledge, Birmingham, AL, His three loving daughters Patrice A. Percy (DeCarlos), Denise S. Harrison (Tyrus), and Alicia D. Agee (James), Hueytown, Alabama, special aunt Essie Willis, Brighton, AL; three (3) sisters, Lorraine M. Holmes, Midfield, AL, Elaine L. Holmes, Birmingham AL and Benita F. Ford, Chelsa, AL, two (2) sister-in-laws, Mary E. Taylor, Birmingham, AL and Patricia A. Miller, Montgomery, AL four (4) brother-in-laws, Elijah (Betty) Brown Atlanta GA, William Brown, Chicago IL, Willie Brown, Boston MA, James (Betty) Brown Shreveport LA, four (4) grandchildren, Tatyana Lipscomb, Tyveze Harrison, Tyler Agee, Isaiah Sledge, and a host many nieces and nephews, other relatives friends. We celebrate the lasting legacy of our daddy Ralph Anthony Sledge and we are comforted and reminded that surely your goodness and love will follow us all the days of our life and  we join you one day in heaven forever.