Ralph L. Pippenger

Ralph Pippenger, age 70, resident of Cleveland, TN, passed away Monday, April 14, 2008, in a local hospital. He was an active member of Tasso United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Maude Marie Pippenger, and a sister, Mary Garren. He was retired from the United States Postal Service. Ralph was a graduate of Bradley Central High School where he played football and basketball and spent several years in coaching Dixie Youth Baseball and youth basketball in the community. In 1998 he was inducted into the Bradley County Old Timers Hall of Fame for basketball and he remained an avid sports fan.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Carol Walker Pippenger. Two sons and their wives; Phil and Amy Pippenger, Cleveland and Andy and Brooke Pippenger, Lookout Mtn., TN; eight grandchildren; Abigail, Caleb, Lydia, Silas and Luke Pippenger of Cleveland, and Wiley, Janie and Marguerite Pippenger of Lookout Mtn., TN; sisters, Martha (Harry) Haun, Rossville, GA, Jeannie (Denny) Griffith, Cleveland; brother, Larry Pippenger, Cleveland, TN. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 17, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at Grissom Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Cutshaw, Rev. Mike Travis and Rev. Charles Ensminger officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family request memorials be made to the Crossroads Youth Ministries, PO. Box 362 Cleveland, TN 37364 or Tasso United Methodist Church 1106 Tasso Lane NE Cleveland, TN 37312.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 16, 2008, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Grissom Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.grissomfh.net