Maude Ralston

Maude Ralston, age 97, passed away September 22, 2010 at Winthrop Manor Nursing Center in Rome, Georgia, surrounded by her children, following a lengthy illness. She was born April 15, 1913 in Gordon County, daughter of the late Lizzie Parker and Eli Pickens (Bob) Patterson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall Ralston in 1994 and a son, Ronald Ralston, May 2010, sisters Lizzie Patterson, Eva Ferguson, Lottie Clayton, and brothers Hoke and Hoyt Patterson. She is survived by four children; Betty Payne of Rome, Howard Ralston and wife Margaret, Dalton; Barbara Cousins and husband Franklin, Cartersville; Linda Dorsey and husband Tommy, Douglasville; daughter-in-law Susan Ralston, Calhoun. Grandchildren, Dwight Payne and wife Janice, Rome, Gary Ralston, Collierville, Tennessee, Ryan Ralston, Dalton; Beth Cousins Philip and husband Renji, Studio City, California; Charlene Hendrix, Paul Cousins, Rodney Payne and wife Molly, Cartersville; Kyle Johnson, Daniel Ralston, Benjamin Ralston, Hannah Ralston of Calhoun, step-grandchildren, Allen Dorsey and wife Patricia, Marty Dorsey and wife Janet of Jasper, Robert Dorsey and wife Sara, Woodstock; Kelly Dorsey Silverthorne, Atlanta; and Sam Murphree, Calhoun. Great grandchildren, Matthew Payne, Rome; Jordan and Zachary Ralston, Collierville, Tennessee; Rachel Hendrix, Rebecca Hendrix Tatum, Amelia, Emmaline, and Addison Payne all of Cartersville; step- great grandchildren, Patrick Collum, Nashville, Tennessee; Kate, Reagan, Jordan, Lauren Dorsey and Anna Weatherby, Jasper, Ryan, Kaitlyn, Amberlee Dorsey and Heather Gregory, Woodstock; David Dorsey, Spokane, Washington; and Adam Postell, Atlanta; Aaron Postell, Afghanistan. Nieces and nephews also survive. Except for a brief time, when newly married and living in Calhoun, Maude lived her entire life on the pre-Civil War family farm in the Plainview community near Sonoraville. She loved her family dearly and was a homemaker, gardener, seamstress, good neighbor and friend. She lived almost a century and saw many changes in her lifetime. She attended a one-room school and taught Sunday School for many years at Plainview Baptist Church, which her father helped build. At age 97, she was the church's oldest member. Interment will be in the churchyard cemetery. The family will receive friends at Thomas Funeral Home, from 6 - 8 Friday evening, September 24, 2010. Funeral service will be held at 4:00 PM Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Plainview Church with grandson, Ryan Ralston and Rev. Winford Casey officiating. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers with members of the Dalton District of Liberty National Insurance Co. as honorary pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be sent to Plainview Baptist Church, c/o Mr. Willie Hicks, 1146 Union Grove Church Rd, Adairsville, GA 30103, or to Heyman Hospice, 420 East Second Ave, Suite 105, Rome, GA 30161.Online condolences may be made at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Maude Ralston.