Ralph Alexander Sheets

He was very close with his brother, Wayne, and they played sports together their entire lives. Ralph attended the Leeds school system, where he played basketball, football, and, his favorite, baseball, and graduated Valedictorian in 1963.

He received a scholarship to attend Samford University where he was a two letterman in sports and graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics in 1967. He was a talented left-handed pitcher and after his sophomore year he signed with the Cleveland Indians. He went on to pitch professionally after his junior year of college and continued after he graduated. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Samford.

He started his teaching and coaching career at Hewitt Trussville High School for three years and then went to Leeds High School for 24 years. While there, he led the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program. After retiring from Leeds, he continued to share his love of math and education, teaching at multiple schools including at Newnan High School and Jefferson State Community College. He touched many students’ lives – he is remembered for his steadfast kindness whether he was helping students overcome math anxiety or supporting their athletic goals.

He met his wife Tricia in 1979 through mutual friends and they married soon after and welcomed two children, Jonathan and Elizabeth. He was a loving and supportive husband and father that shared his love of education, sports, music, cooking, animals, and gardening with his family. This year, Ralph and Tricia became adoring grandparents to Emma.

He was a man of faith and is remembered in his community for his devotion. He was a lifelong member of the historic Cahaba United Methodist Church, where he played piano hymns for many years.

Ralph died peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 7th, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Tricia, his brother, Wayne, his children, Elizabeth (Justin) and Jonathan (Sharon), and his granddaughter, Emma.

A graveside service will be held at Mt. Hebron Cemetery on Wednesday, December 15th at 2 pm. All who loved Ralph are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations go to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of his mother Elsa.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kilgroefuneralhome.com for the Sheets family.