Eva Mae Wilfork Ragland, M.A.

Eva Mae Wilfork Ragland was born on February 22, 1933 to Charles Cary Wilfork and Lucille Nelson Wilfork in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the oldest of their two daughters. She accepted Christ at an early age, baptized at St. James Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Paul and Almeria Nelson enjoyed their granddaughters' group the "Golden Voices". A self-taught musician, Eva played piano for her grandfather's church, Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, while sister Lovonia sang. Herman and Eva met at Miles College and married on November 30, 1954 in her mother's living room. The Ragland family was blessed with four children. In 1974, the family stepped out on faith and established their permanent residence in Los Angeles, California. Eva was a brilliant student, graduating from Fairfield Industrial High School and aspired to become an educator. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Miles College in Birmingham. She earned a Master of Arts degree in English from California State University Dominguez Hills in 1985 with an A average with children at home, in college and medical school. Eva was an inspirational and devoted high school teacher of English and French for almost thirty five years in the Birmingham and Los Angeles Unified School systems. She was the motivational source to many students who won both local and national literary student competitions. She was a member of the National Education Association, California Teachers Association, California Retired Teachers Association and the State Teachers Retirement System. The memories of Eva as a wonderful and loving wife of 55 years to Herman, who preceded her in death, are eternal. She retired herself, from an active career upon his illness, after he retired to care for him. She was a devoted sister to Mrs. Lovonia Sims. She was a loving mother to her four children: Herman Ragland Jr., Karen D. Ragland Cole, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. (Robert), Dawn Ragland Belton, M.A. and Tanya Ragland. She adored her nieces and nephew Mrs. Revia Crimes, Mrs. Debra Lewis and Mr. Darel Horton of Birmingham, Alabama. She was proud her grand children De Waun Ragland and Erica Ragland Bailey, Rachel Nicole Belton, Raleah Lorian and Karsten Robert Cole. She was great grandmother to Harlym Bailey and Honor Mae Bailey. My mother truly believed Luke 17:6 and one day showed us an actual mustard seed, making it a point to carry in her purse. She believed and impressed upon us to believe that "faith and prayer of a righteous man", the size of a mustard seed, "availeth much". (James 5:16) She would lift her voice in praise around the house often. Loving Motown too, her love of all music transferred to us at an early age. Eva lived a fully rewarding life and thanked God for his mercy and goodness daily. We as a family, who loved her, were richly blessed by her impact and presence in our lives.

Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275