Obituary

Ralph Arnold Burch, Sr.

June 14, 1940 - May 26, 2024

Ralph Arnold Burch, Sr., age 83 and of Magnolia, MS, passed away on Sunday May 26, 2024, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Ralph was born in Tylertown on June 14, 1940, the son of the late Melvin Otis Burch and Lola McDaniel Burch. Ralph graduated from Franklinton High School Class of 1958, then went on to serve in the United States Air Force as a first class airman, stationed in Okinawa for a time, until he was honorably discharged in 1962. He married the love of his life Rose Marie Smith on March 24, 1967 and they were married for 38 years until her passing in 2004. Ralph was a long-time dairyman in Magnolia, MS. He retired from Rayborn Correctional Center in 2012. Ralph was a faithful member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church for many years. He was a loving father and grandfather who especially loved attending his children and grandchildren’s life events.

Remaining to cherish Ralph’s memory are his children and spouses, Regina and John McElveen, Rachael Burch, Roland and Jennifer Burch; grandchildren and spouses, Brock and Taylor Burch, Brittney and Brandon Lebo, Mason McElveen, Brooke Burch, Brandon and Payton McElveen, Bayleigh Burch, Ralph Wade McElveen; great-grandchildren, Rebecca, Lydia, and Mary Katherine Burch, Dakota Skye Lebo; brother and sister in law, Glen and Emogene Burch; brothers in law and sisters in law, Douglas and Martha Miller, Edna Sprehe, Grace Roberts, Vivian Smith, Delores Corkern and many nieces, nephews, friends and other loved ones.

Preceding Ralph in death are his wife, Rose Marie Smith Burch; a young son, Ralph Arnold Burch, Jr.; parents, Melvin and Lola McDaniel Burch; brother and sister in law, Philip “Sonny” and Dorothy Burch and brothers in law and sisters in law, Louis Ray and Inez Smith, Robert “Bob” and Mary “Toby” Smith, Roy and Alice Smith, Roland Smith, Ralph “Doc” Smith, Keith and Ruth Alford, Benton “Pete” Roberts, William Sprehe, Richard and Nellie Pearl Spears; and nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.

Visitation will be Crain Funeral Home on Wednesday May 29th from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm and after 9:00 am on Thursday. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 am Thursday with Dr. R. Brock Burch and Rev. Leonard Smith officiating, with special music provided by family friend Andrew Belmore. Graveside services will follow in the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors provided by the Keesler Air Force Base Honor Guard.

Pallbearers will be John McElveen, Mason McElveen, Ralph Wade McElveen, Brandon Lebo, Zachary Holmes, and Dillon Tynes.