Ralph Henry Coble

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WADESBORO – It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, uncle and friend, Mr. Ralph Henry Coble. At the age of 80 years, he passed away peacefully at the Coble family homeplace, which has been his home for all his life on Friday, September 26, 2025.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, October 2, 2025, in the Chapel of Leavitt Funeral Home with Mr. Ken Caulder officiating. Interment will follow in the Bennett Family Cemetery in Wadesboro.

The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home and following the graveside service at a reception at Calvary Episcopal Church.

Ralph was born July 27, 1945, in Anson County, NC and was the youngest of 6 children born to the late William Henry Coble and the late Frances Eugenia Hill Coble. He was a 1963 graduate of Wadesboro High School, and he worked at Wade Manufacturing while putting himself through college at Wingate University, graduating there with a degree in business administration.

For many years, Ralph had a long and successful career with the North Carolina Department of Corrections, working at Southern Correctional Institute in Troy. He was first employed as a correctional officer and was promoted to assistant unit manager and later unit manager. At the time of his retirement, he was the administrative officer of the institution and was recognized for having audits with no exceptions for all departments. His co-workers are quoted saying, “he was business minded, and everything had to be right at all times.” He was a leader among his peers and coworkers at Southern Correctional.

Ralph was an accomplished musician. He served as the organist and treasurer for the Wadesboro Church of God for many years. He later became a member of First United Methodist Church, where he had served as a substitute organist at times. He has worked with various churches in and around Anson County which included, Forestville United Methodist Church in Lilesville, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wadesboro, and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamlet.

He had a great love and appreciation for antiques, especially those with Anson County and ancestral history. He collected antiques from all over which ultimately led to his antique shop in the historical Knotts family home on Camden Road in Wadesboro, Lord George Anson Antiques.

In Anson County history, his ancestry dates back more than 250 years. He was a direct descendant of Joseph and Winfred Nelms Ingram who settled in Anson County in the mid 1700’s and established a home in the bend of the Pee Dee River in 1775. It is noted that Andrew Jackson, former President of the United States and first Governor of Florida was entertained in their home on several occasions, while he was studying law in Wadesboro.

He was also a descendant of Richard Bennett who served under Oliver Cromwell and his nephew Richard Bennett was a Colonial Governor in Virgina. His fourth great-grandparents, Isaac and Mary Sheffield Dunn were noted patriots in the Revolutionary War. Mary Sheffield Dunn is also noted in Mary Louise Medley’s book, History of Anson County, North Carolina for her medical service to soldiers during the revolutionary War. His ancestor, William N. Bennett, II was a Chaplain in the Revolutionary War, thus proving his eligibility for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.

His great-grandfather, John Edwin Hill, born in Barnstable, Devonshire England migrated to the United States circa 1850, and joined the Confederate War effort later, marrying the former Eugenia Bennett. Mr. Hill was noted for his architectural skills, and most of all, for the design and building of Calvary Episcopal Church in Wadesboro.

Those who are left to cherish his memory are his sister, Helen Coble Bowers of Indian Trail; his sister-in-law, Helen Sikes Coble of Charlotte; his nieces and nephews, Teresa Pope of Lilesville, Tammy Turner and Tobie Starnes (Bobby) both of Ansonville, Jeff Bowers (Gheisa) of Indian Trail, John Coble (Robin) of Huntersville, Bill Coble, Jr. of Concord and Clifton Coble (Amy) of Charlotte and their families.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers, Mary Frances Threadgill (JC), Ruth Ingold (Richard), Johnnie Coble (Carolyn) and Billy Coble and his niece, Sharon Bowers Smith.

Flowers are appreciated; however the family suggests memorial gifts be considered to the Bennett Family Cemetery, c/o Teresa Pope, P.O. Box 942, Wadesboro, NC 28170. The family cemetery and its sustainability were extremely near and dear to Ralph’s heart and a gift to the cemetery would please him most.

Ev'ry long weary mile I'll recount with a smile When I come to the end of the road. And the foes that beset God will make me forget, When I come to the end of the road. When the long day is ended, the journey is o'er. I shall enter that blessed abode, For the Savior I love will be waiting for me When I come to the end of the road.

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com