Ralph Franklin George

The staff at Heishman Funeral Home Inc. sends condolences to the family of Ralph Franklin George. After an extended illness, Ralph Franklin George, 86, of Edinburg, passed away at his home in Columbia Furnace on February 10, 2024. Ralph was born April 1, 1937, to the late Harry Irvin George and Mamie Mae Smoot George in Columbia Furnace. The funeral will be conducted Thursday, 2/15/2024, at 2:00pm at Heishman Funeral Home, Bowman’s Crossing, by Pastor Brian Duncan and Associate Pastor Randy Whetzel. Burial will be at Sunset View Memorial Gardens in Woodstock immediately after, with a meal to follow at First Church of Columbia Furnace at 19 Union Church Road, Edinburg. The family will receive family and friends on Wednesday, 2/14/2024, from 6:00-8:00pm at the funeral home. Ralph retired from the USDA as a poultry inspector, but also owned several businesses throughout his life including a flower shop, grocery store, and a poultry farm. He was a Charter Member of the First Church of Columbia Furnace, and a Founding Member of the Shenandoah Valley Poultry Club. He graduated from Woodstock High School Class of 1956. Ralph also served his community as a 4-H leader for many years, leading his family to be 4-H Family of the Year in 1969. Ralph’s many hobbies included his garden and flowers, raising jersey cows and show poultry, and he enjoyed hunting and raising hunting dogs. Ralph dismantled and rebuilt an old log cabin up on Three Mile Mountain and took the time to enjoy the peacefulness of the woods. Ralph was predeceased by his sister, Evelyn Burner (Ralph); brothers, Johnnie (Rose), Alger (Nancy), James Leo (Beatrice), Clifford, and Freddie. He was also predeceased by his father-in-law, William Ford Pifer; mother-in-law, Gladys Coffman Pifer; and brothers-in-law, Wilbur Kingree (Cora) and William Pifer Jr. Ralph is survived by his wife of 65 years, Doris Ann Pifer George; son, Dennis George (Kimberly) of Edinburg; daughter, Carlotta McCormick (Gregory) of Spotsylvania; grandchildren, Dustin George (Sara), Erin Bockey (Brandon), Brett McCormick (Ashley), Allison Beckenstrater (Billy), and Brandon McCormick (Brehanna). He also loved his great-grandchildren, Olivia Waybright, Adalyn George, Blaine McCormick, Kallie McCormick, and soon-to-arrive Violet McCormick. Ralph is also survived by sisters-in-law, Sylvia George, Beverly George, Mary Sue Polk (Earl); and brother-in-law, Donnie Pifer (Barbara); along with numerous nieces and nephews and long-time friends, Dale and Caroline Wetzel. Pallbearers will be Dale Wetzel, Dustin George, Brett McCormick, Brandon McCormick, Billy Beckenstrater, and Brandon Bockey. Honorary pallbearers will be William Day, Dean Fadeley, Jimmy Hollar, and Lynn Wolverton. The family would like to thank Blue Ridge Hospice Team 3, as well as Kathy Miller, for their excellent care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St, Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601 or the First Church of Columbia Furnace Building Fund, c/o Sherrie Gnagey, 5 Yellow Springs Ln, Edinburg, VA 22824. Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com Arrangements by Heishman Funeral Home Inc., Valley Funeral Service Branch, Edinburg.

Ralph Franklin George

April 1, 1937 - February 10, 2024