Ralph Clifton Venable

Ralph Clifton Venable
March 30, 1919 - October 9, 2014
Ralph Clifton Venable, 95, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2014 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem. He was born on March 30, 1919, on the family farm in Danbury Township (Stokes County) to parents George and Emma (Hartman) Venable. He is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Nancy Parrish Venable; daughters Ruth Venable of Winston-Salem and Marty O'Sullivan (Dan) of Durham; grandchildren Devin O'Sullivan (Donna), Emily O'Sullivan, and Connor O'Sullivan; great-grandchildren Jackson and Skylar, all of Durham; and several nieces and nephews in North Carolina and Virginia. Ralph had a special nephew, Ronnie Venable of Germanton, and the family would like to thank him and his wife Sheila for their help and friendship over the years. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, all of his brothers and sisters, and his son, Mark P. Venable.
Ralph grew up near Danbury on the family's tobacco farm, but he was never a smoker himself. He graduated from Walnut Cove High School, in the class of 1937. After serving in the Army Air Corps from 1942 - 1945, including time in the Asian-Pacific Theater, he used the GI Bill to attend school in Roanoke, Virginia, where he met his future bride. The newlyweds settled in Winston-Salem, where they raised their three children. Ralph worked for Western Electric in the accounts department for over 35 years. He may have left the life of tobacco farming behind in Stokes County, but he never lost his love for growing delicious vegetables, especially tomatoes, for his family and friends to enjoy. His backyard garden was legend in the neighborhood over the years, and he kept a garden all his life. Family members eagerly awaited Ralph's specialty of tomatoes ripened on the vine. Ralph was most happy at home, with his family and his garden.
Ralph was a member of Knollwood Baptist Church, but due to declining health, was unable to attend church services in recent years. Together on Sunday mornings, he and Nancy watched the televised church services from First Baptist Church with Rev. David Hughes.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 18th at 2:00 at Hayworth-Miller, 3315 Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem with Rev. Chris Norman officiating. The family will receive friends and family one hour prior to the service. Ralph's family would like to thank the nurses at Bayada Home Health Care for their help and loving care over the last few weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph's memory can be made to the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Hayworth-Miller is assisting the family of Mr. Venable. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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