Roy C. Ragsdale, age 88, of Maitland left his earthly body on July 19, 2015 to be with the Lord. He was born in Homer, GA, and grew up on his family's farm where he learned the meaning and importance of hard work -- lessons that served him and his family well for the rest of his earthy life. He was a member of the Greatest Generation and served in the U.S. Army in Germany during World War II. After the war, he pursued a career as an underwriter and risk management specialist in the insurance industry -- a career that brought him and his young family from Atlanta to the Orlando area in 1966. He lived in the same house in Maitland for 49 years, but his heart never really left the red clay beneath the kudzu-covered hills and hollows of Banks County Georgia, where his ashes will be soon be laid to rest.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Maitland where he sang in the choir and also served as a deacon. He was a man of faith, faithfulness, and frugality who was always willing to help his fellow sojourners on this earth. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mamie, whom he served as devoted primary caregiver as she has declined over the past eight years with the scourge of Alzheimer's. His devotion to his wife served as a master class in love and integrity for all who witnessed the sacrifices he made to fulfill his marriage vows for better, for worse, in sickness and in health. He is also survived by his children Lynn and Jose Mederos (Oviedo), Cliff and Kathy Ragsdale (Blacksburg, VA), Jennifer and Frank Grey (Melbourne); and six grandchildren Sean Mederos, Thomas Ragsdale, Patrick Ragsdale, Daniel Ragsdale, Kaitlyn Grey, and Nicholas Grey.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, July 24 at DeGusipe Funeral Home, 9001 N. Orlando Ave, Maitland. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Maitland on Saturday, July 25 at 4 pm, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Orlando Children's Church ( http://orlandochildrenschurch.org ).

The family would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional caregivers who assisted Mr. and Mrs. Ragsdale in their home over the past year and to the special people at First Baptist Church of Maitland who have demonstrated God's love in innumerable ways.