Ralph Norman Wesley Jr.

Ralph Norman Wesley, Junior, age 83, of Gadsden, Alabama peacefully slipped away from this life into the arms of Jesus on March 27, 2023. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky and spent most of his childhood in Harlan, Kentucky. He received his undergraduate degree at Davidson College in North Caroline and his Medical Degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He completed his residency at the University Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama where he met the love of his life, Carol. They were married for 54 happy years.

He proudly served in the United States Army as a Major and was stationed in South Korea where he served as a physician. In 1971, he established his medical practice in Gadsden, Alabama. His love was serving the community and it showed in his devotion and care for his many patients through the years. He cared for each of his patients as if they were members of his own family. He spent tireless hours at the hospital ensuring that his patients received the best possible care. He retired in 2019 at the age of 80. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Gadsden where he served as deacon, choir member and played the clarinet. He proudly served our Lord in a mission trip to Nigeria, Africa in 1983. He lived every day to glorify and serve his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dr. Wesley was a devoted husband, loving father, caring brother, proud grandfather and faithful friend. Those who were blessed to have known him, will miss his smile, laughter, sense of humor, love of music and his love for sports, specifically Alabama football and Kentucky Basketball.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol Capps Wesley and his parents, Irma Hardesty Wesley and Ralph “Pat” Norman Wesley, Sr.

Left to cherish his memory is his sister, Judith Wesley Smith (Jim) of Wilmington, North Carolina and his two daughters, Joanna Wesley Harrison of Birmingham, Alabama, Karen Wesley Wilhite (Jason) of Fort Myers, Florida as well as his three grandchildren, Ann Wesley Harrison, Samuel Clayton Harrison of Birmingham and Levy Storm Wilhite of Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Special thanks to Comfort Care Home Health, specifically Ryan for your kindness, dedication and prayers and to Enhabit Hospice specifically Kayla, Suzanne and Elizabeth for your extraordinary care. Additionally, the family would like thank Gerri Pruitt Copeland, Candi Satterfield along with several other Healing Hearts Home Care Caregivers for their love, laughter and care over the past year. Dr. Wesley’s family will always be grateful and forever hold you in their hearts.

In keeping with his wishes, in lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the First Baptist Church of Gadsden or the Parkinson’s Association of Alabama.

Please join us at 11 am on April 1, 2023 at Collier Butler for a Celebration of Life Service for Ralph and his wife, Carol Wesley who passed away last year during the pandemic. Visitation will begin at 10 am.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.collier-butler.com for the Wesley family.