Ralph Pulliam

TEN MILE — Ralph Oliver Pulliam, 82, formerly of Cleveland, Tenn., passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at UT Medical Center. He was born on Feb. 17, 1937, a son of the late Lester and Georgia Pulliam. Ralph was born and raised in Cleveland, Tenn., where he was married and he and his wife raised their family. He worked for Lonas Construction as shop foreman for 27 years. Ralph worked for Simpson Bridge Company for 15 years along with other places as a heavy equipment mechanic. He was an excellent mechanic and was known as “The Man Who Could Fix Anything with a Wrench and Welding Rod”. He grew up on the farm and loved farm life. Ralph bought the farm and he and Wanda moved to Ten Mile in 1989, where he enjoyed the farm life and still worked and took care of his farm and cattle up until his death. He loved horses and mules, loved going on wagon trains and trail rides where he made many friends over the years. Ralph was loved and respected by all that knew him and was the hero of all his children and grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Louise Eads; one brother, Ronald Pulliam; and one son, Ralph Edwin Pulliam. Ralph leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 64 years, Wanda Faye Pulliam; two daughters, Katie Pulliam and husband Ronnie, of Cleveland, Tenn., and Patty Ingram and husband Randy, of Charleston, Tenn.; one son, Randy Pulliam and wife Amanda, of Pleasant Plains, Ark.; special son, Keith Brock and wife Shannon, of Niota; six grandchildren, Marla Jordan (Brad), of Cleveland, Tenn., Brandy Vasquez (Victor), Dustin Pulliam (Tiffany), Ralph Mitchell Pulliam, Niki Pulliam all of Pleasant Plains, Ark., Eilyn Orozco of Barranquilla Columbia; seven great-grandchildren, Laken Gravitt, Kaylee Jordan, Bentley Vasquez, Owen Pulliam, Luke Pulliam, Max Martinez and Chesleigh Vasquez; brother-in-law, Raymond Eads; special family member and friend, Charlie Ratledge; several special nieces and nephews, numerous other extended family members and a host of close friends. The family will receive friends on Friday evening, July 12, 2019, from 6 until 8:30 p.m. in the Athens chapel of Companion Funeral Home located at 400 S White Street in Athens, TN. A celebration of his life is planned for Saturday, July 13, 2019, at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Herman Jordan and the Rev. Sammy Hooker officiating. Interment will follow in the Edgemon Cemetery with Greg Buckner, Ray Ratledge, Clint Burrell, Jake Brock, Josh Brock and Jake Harrell serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Simpson, Glen Poteet, Mike Burrell and Jacky Burrell. You are encouraged to share a memory of Ralph and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial web page and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Athens is honored to assist his family with these arrangements.