Ralph Chadwell

Mr. Ralph Chadwell, age 81, of Winston-Salem, NC passed away peacefully on Nov 21, 2024 at home, in his wife’s arms and with his children by his side.

He was born in Westbourne, TN on Feb 24, 1943 to Thomas Chadwell and Johnnie Chadwell Petitt, the sixth of ten children. He grew up in a coal mining community in the mountains above LaFollette, TN. After high school graduation in 1961 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving three years in Germany. Returning home after service with few opportunities of employment, he took a mail correspondence course for Railroad Station Agents and was hired by TP & W Railway in East Peoria, IL. He left home with all his belongings in a suitcase, one hundred dollars in his pocket, and boarded a Greyhound Bus for Illinois. Taking two additional jobs to afford a car, he moved and lived in a boarding house in Washington, IL, a small town outside of Peoria. A few years later he met his future wife, Joye Von Dane in Washington. After a short engagement they were married on Feb 14, 1969, and Ralph became a step-father to her four-year-old son John, whom he loved as his own. Their family was complete two years later with the birth of their daughter Stephanie.

Wanting to get into Data Processing, he took night classes and earned his degree, eventually moving his family to Chicago where he worked in the consulting environment. After a few years and longing for his southern roots, he was hired by Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo) in Winston-Salem, NC and worked in IT (Information Technology) for 25 years, retiring in 2007 as an Assistant Vice President.

Thoroughly enjoying retirement, he always made sure he was available to help his family. He took special pride in his lawn and kept it in pristine condition and always enjoyed seeing his family in TN. But his favorite “hobby” was sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch reading his newspaper, watching nature and talking with neighbors. His passing has left us with immense heartbreak.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Joye, his daughter Stephanie Phillips of Winston-Salem, his son John (Linda) Lippert of DeLand, FL. Also surviving are grandchildren McKenna Phillips (Fiancé Brandon Jones and his son Jaxon (Jax)), and Kendall (“Ken”) Phillips, all of Winston-Salem, NC. Also, brothers Paul (Pauletta) Chadwell, Garry (Ruth) Chadwell, and Russell (Chris) Petitt, and many nieces and nephews all of the Knoxville, TN area. Their visits were a blessing for us. Predeceasing Ralph in death were his parents, brothers Freeman, Leonard, Glenn, Tommy, and Albert Chadwell, and one sister Freda Hendon, all of TN.

We wish to thank the staff at the Cancer Institute, as well as the doctors and staff at Trellis Supportive Care for their kindness and care throughout this hard journey and the continuing support for the family. Thanks to our wonderful neighbors and friends for help with the lawn, trimming bushes, power washing the house and bringing meals. It all means more than they will ever know and our words of gratitude cannot express how much your generosity has meant to the family.

“Through the ups and downs of life you were our strength and protection, putting everyone before yourself. You have given me peace, contentment and a love I never knew I could have. It is with the greatest sadness I have to let you go, and you will live in my heart forever. Until we meet again, rest in sweet peace.”