Biography

Guscile Vandergrift Ragland was born December 6, 1933 to the late Frank Vandergrift and Ruth Cherry in Branchville, Alabama. She attended school in St. Clair County. She was later employed by Smith Pride Poultry Plant.

Guscile was united with Copper Spring Baptist Church under the leadership of the Reverend M. L. Robertson. She later moved her membership to Mt. Avery Missioary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Reverend B. J. Long. She worked faithfully as President of the Senior Choir and taught the Junior and Senior Mission Societies. Considerable devotion was given as a deaconess and a vacation bible school teacher. She reconstructed the Baptist Training Union (BTU) for the youth department.

Guscile united in Holy Matriony with Tommy Ragland, Sr. and, to this blessed union of sixty years, four beautiful children were born.

She was preceded in death by two children, Debra D. Maniece and Tommy L. Ragland, Jr. She was also preceded in death by six brothers.

The toils of life came to an end on Thursday, November 26, 2009 when Guscile closed her eyes and went home to rest in the arms of Jesus.

The beautiful memories of Guscile's life will be cherished forever by her loving husband Tommy Ragland; daughter, Earline (John) England; Randall (Jacquelyn) Ragland of Ashville, AL; daughter-in-law, Desi Ragland; sisters, Loretta Latham of Westport, CT, Martha (Richard) Payton of Bridgeport, CT, Elaine Bradley of Branchville, AL, Daphne Paige of Detroit, MI; brothers, Frank Vandergrift of Detroit, MI, James Cherry, Douglas Cherry and Donald Cherry; eleven grandchildren, Tamela Mickens, Nicci (Jeremie) Whitsey, Tracee Horton, Tasha (Kermit) Turner, La Shaun (Angelica) Ragland, Phylecia Ragland, Latavia (Sly) King, DeAndra Ragland, Brandon Maniece, Jeremy Looney, Devon (Erica) Looney; twelve adoring great grandchilden, Tyler, Brandi, Gabrielle, Kennedy, Madison, Braxton, McKenzie, Devon, Jayla, Jeremie, Nya; ten sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, special family, the Reverend Dwight (Barbara) Willingham and the Rev. David E. (Elaine) Hill.

Calling Hours

Friday December 4, 2009, 12 :00 Noon - 8:00 P. M. at Poole's Funeral Chapel
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Family Hour

Friday December 4, 2009, 6:00 P. M. - 8:00 P.M. at Poole's Funeral Chapel
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Funeral Service

Saturday December 5, 2009, 1:00 P. M. at Mt. Avery Baptist Church
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Burial is immediately following the funeral service.

Burial

Saturday December 5, 2009 at Copper Springs Cemetery
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