Charles Ragland Sr.

Affectionately known as "Billy" by his devoted and loving family and friends, he was born in Washington, DC, the son of the late Shepard Ragland, Sr. and Ola Mae Ragland. He received his education in the early years from the Granville County School System and then later moved back to the Washington, D.C. area, where he completed his education at Phelps Vocational Senior High School. He majored in the brick masonry field. His daughters graduated from the same alma mater. Charles was employed by the George Mason Construction Company for 30 years until his health began to fail.

He joined Aaron Creek Baptist Church at an early age and changed his membership to The Crossover Church in Hyattsville, MD. His last fellowship church family was at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

He was devoted to his family and friends - always willing to lend a helping hand. "Billy" had the ability to make you smile with his hilarious sense of humor, and occasionally he made prank calls to make you laugh. He always had a smile on his face whenever you saw him, and his laugh was distinguished, you knew when it was him. He was known as the President of The Smart Club. An outstanding and gifted brick mason, his work can be seen throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. He was so gifted that whenever someone in the community needed work done, they would call him.

Charles Ragland, Sr. is survived by two daughters, Kimberly and Lynee Ragland (Carolyn Bullock Ragland, his first wife); a son, Charles Ragland, Jr. (Patricia Anderson Ragland, his second wife); two stepchildren, Angel and Brian Anderson; one step-grandchild, Shahara Anderson Davis; one brother, Michael Ragland; two sisters, Shirley Hobgood Lawrence and Renee Ragland Carroll; three nieces, Jerika Hobgood Jeffery, Amari Hobgood and Deanna Carroll; three nephews, Andre Hobgood, Rashad Ragland and Michael Ragland, Jr.; four uncles; five aunts; and a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, four uncles, two aunts, and one nephew.

Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1.