Rev. Ralph Ashley Whicker Obituary (1921

Reverend Ralph Ashley Whicker, 82, went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 10, 2004, from NHC of Johnson City. He was born on July 14, 1921, in Parkersburg, IL, a son of the late Stephen and Laura Whicker, and was also preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Mary Elizabeth Jennings Whicker, a sister, Marie, and brothers, Charles, Stephen, Lawrence and Lindel. Reverend Whicker served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, was graduated from Austin Peay State College with a Bachelor of Science degree and attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. As an ordained Southern Baptist Minister, he pastored churches in Tennessee, Kentucky, Wyoming, Ohio and Connecticut, often serving as contractor to build the church buildings in addition to serving as pastor. He was a gifted and talented builder, singer and preacher. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Bristol, TN after moving to Bristol from Nortonville, KY. Remaining family members are Mary Ruth Trunnell and her husband Tony of Bristol, VA, grandson Ashley Trunnell and his wife Tami and great grandchildren Alexander and Rachael Trunnell of Owatonna, MN; son David Ashley Whicker and his wife Sandy and grandsons Aaron and Nathan Whicker of Flagstaff, AZ, and grandson Andrew Whicker and his wife Angie of Hawaii; son John Paul Whicker and wife Debbie of Maysville, KY and grandsons Samuel and Jacob Whicker and their mother Teresa Larkins of Lebanon, TN; son Mark Anthony Whicker and his wife Joy and grandsons Jason Whicker and wife Crystal, and Josh Whicker of London, KY; one brother Floyd Whicker and wife Bert of Evansville, IN; along with many nieces and nephews, and a very special and devoted friend Virginia Leonard of Bristol,TN. A Memorial Service of Christian Celebration will be conducted at the Calvary Baptist Church, 1505 Broad Street, Bristol, TN on Monday evening, January 12, 2004, at 7 OClock with Pastors Tony Trunnell and Mark A. Whicker officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. Visitation time from 12 OClock until 1:00 P.M. will take place at the Barnett-Strother Funeral Home in Madisonville, KY, on Wednesday, January 14, 2004. A grave side service will follow at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon at the Hanson Cemetery in Hanson, KY. Military graveside rights will be conducted by the VFW Post 5480 of Madisonville. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Missions Fund of Calvary Baptist Church or to the Gideons International for the distribution of Bibles. Online condolences may be made at www.barnettstrother.com