Andrew L. Ragsdale Sr.

Andrew Lee Ragsdale Sr., was born in Lunenburg County Va. On April 26, 1937. He transitioned from this life to his eternal rest on September 22, 2021, at 10:30pm

He was the third child of the late Harry L Ragsdale Sr. and Lucille Bridgeforth Ragsdale. He attended Asberry public school and graduated from Lunenburg High School in 1956.

While in Virginia, Andrew was employed by the Lunenburg County School System for several years. He relocated to Baltimore Maryland in 1962 and worked for Robb Tyler as a Driver for (4) four years until Rob Tyler was unionized by Browning Ferris Industries (BFI). He worked at BFI as a Driver for (36) thirty-six years until he retired in April of 2000. After retiring he later worked for 5 1⁄2 years as a Crossing Guard for the Baltimore City Public Schools until 2015.

Andrew loved cooking, singing, and spending holidays with family and friends. These were large events often held at his house. He had a beautiful baritone voice and sang in a band with his friends in the early years of moving to Baltimore. His father also sang and travelled in a gospel group. Andrew and Gloria were long standing members of Southern Baptist Church since 1962. They attended services, participated in church activities, and tithed every Sunday for over 40 years without miss. They both sang on the Early Morning Choir and the Sr. Choir #1 at Southern Baptist. He also volunteered as a security guard for the Southern Baptist Church during his retirement until he was no longer able to do so due to illness.

Andrew met Gloria Johnson and married her on October 27, 1958. To this union four children were born: Ernestine Delores, Andrew Jr., Malcolm, and Elroy. They have been married for 63 years. Andrew was preceded in death by his parents; Harry L Ragsdale, Sr, Lucille Bridgeforth Ragsdale, his brothers Houston Ragsdale, Harry L Ragsdale Jr and Reverend John H. Ragsdale and his son Andrew L. Ragsdale Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Gloria Ragsdale; four living children, Ernestine Delores Ragsdale-Holmes (Emmanuel Holmes) of Edgewood Maryland, Antionette Edwards of Columbia MD, Malcolm and Elroy Ragsdale of Baltimore MD; two Sisters, Mary Sanford of Washington DC & Lucille Moore of Kenbridge Va.; four Sister in laws, Edith Ragsdale, Kenbridge VA, Mable Johnson, Warfield, VA, Pecolia Johnson, Richmond VA & Doris Johnson of Warfield VA., three grandchildren, D’Raye Pugh, Marcus Ragsdale and Lauren Holmes; six great grandchildren, Terrell Ragsdale, Chance Ragsdale, D’Sean Potillo, Jaida Marie Bulls, Mikhail Bulls, Quentin Williams and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, other loving relatives, and very good and close friends to carry on. He will be dearly missed.