He was born 13 November 1921 at Spice Run, West Virginia and was the eighth child born to Samuel Lorenzo and Annie Elizabeth Painter. In 1924, the Painter family moved to East Tennessee and settled into life in the small town of Conasauga. Ralph graduated from Polk County High School in 1940, where he played football, basketball and baseball. In 2017, he was inducted into the PCHS Alumni Hall of Fame. Ralph entered military service in 1942 at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and served until 1945. SSG Painter was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service while serving with the 87th Armored Field Artillery Battalion in Normandy, Norther France, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes. Following the war he returned to Tennessee and in 1947 would marry his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Reed Campbell of Benton, Tennessee. Ralph and Elizabeth were married for 59 years until her death in 2006. He was employed for 35 years by the Tennessee Valley Authority advancing in positions of increased responsibility until his retirement in 1986. Ralph was most proud of his time as Shift Engineer at the Bull Run Fossil Plant where he helped put the Unit on line in 1967 and was able to return to the Plant in 2023 when the Unit was removed from service. He was a devoted member of Ridgedale Baptist Church. Ralph enjoyed life and was always willing to carry on a conversation with anyone.
He was preceded in death by his parents and ten brothers and sisters.
Ralph is survived by his son, Gene (Dianna) Painter; grandchildren, Sara Cooper, Lyndsey (Clint) Donnell, Ben Painter and great grandchildren, River, Lily, Drew and Grey; several nieces and nephews; and his special caregiver, Sandra Price for her love and compassion given to Ralph for the past several years.
The family will receive friends from 12 pm (noon) until 2:30 pm on Friday, November 10, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Ralph’s life will follow at 2:30 pm on Friday at the North Chapel with his Pastor Doug Plumlee officiating. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, 6623 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 or www.tennesseechildren.org
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
