Ralph Oglesby Gravely, Sr

Ralph Oglesby Gravely, Sr, a World War II Navy veteran, husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on August 24, 2025, to meet our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is survived by his sons, Ralph (Susan) and Mike (Joy), three grandchildren – his granddaughter, April, and her husband Tony, grandsons Jonathan and Michael, two great-granddaughters, Taylynn and Teanna, and many other relatives. He was predeceased by his father, Frank Gravely; his mother, Lura Roberts Gravely; his two wives, Marie Gravely and Helen Gravely; his brother, Curtis; and his sisters, Mary Pearl, Francis, and Georgie. Ralph would have been 100 this October.

Ralph was born in Roanoke, Virginia, on October 17, 1925, and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1942. A World War II Navy veteran, he served in the Southwest Pacific Theater, primarily in New Guinea. After the war, he worked for almost 50 years with the Norfolk and Western Railroad.

Ralph was a talented and accomplished pianist, performing at the Hotel Roanoke’s Regency Room, the Charcoal Steakhouse, and numerous area country clubs. His talents carried to the diamond, where he was one of Roanoke’s top fast-pitch softball pitchers in the 1950s and ’60s. He was a member and attended services at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church for 60 years. He was in the care of the Carrington Memory Unit for the last three.

At his request, there will not be a funeral service, but a small family gathering will be held in the future. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, 402 Hershberger Rd, Roanoke, VA 24012. To send condolences online please visit tharpfuneralhome.com. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford is assisting the family.