Obituary of Helen Joy Ragland

Her Legacy… Helen Joy Ragland died peacefully at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 from complications following a bad fall and head injury on January 25. She was 87. Joy, which is how she was known to friends and family, was born on January 26, 1930, in Lebanon, Tennessee. She was married to James E. Ragland for 56 years before he passed away in 2002. They had three children: James Jr. (deceased 2007), Donald (Castro Valley) and Ronald (Pacifica). Joy was the last surviving member of the immediate family she grew up with in Tennessee, including her mother, father, and 8 siblings. After moving to the Bay Area from Tennessee, Joy worked at Pacific Bell for 22 years. Retirement did not mean less work for Joy – she was passionate about volunteer leadership and was very active throughout her life in the Order of the Eastern Star, in the Hospital Auxiliary at Barton Hospital in South Lake Tahoe and Valley Care Hospital in Pleasanton, and most recently, with Livermore chapter of Philanthropic Educational Organization International. She was active in the Presbyterian Church in every community in which she lived: South San Francisco, Daly City, South Lake Tahoe, Oroville, and Livermore. Joy was an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants, and her most recent vacation was a trip to Hawaii with her son Don and several Giants players and announcers. Her Family… Joy was a devoted mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great grandmother. In addition to her sons, Don and Ron, she is survived by her daughters-in-law: Maria, Kathy, and Kathy; grandchildren: Jenifer, Eric, Jacqueline, Jason, Michael, Matthew, Maria, and Ryan; grandchildren-in-law, Dan, Susie, and Lacy; and great - great grandchildren: Marco, Owen, Ryan Jr., and Dylan. Her Farewell Service… A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 12:00 PM at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5646 Lincoln Blvd. Oroville, CA. Arrangements are entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877.