Ralph Dill

Ralph Lee Dill

Parham Gin Community – Ralph Lee Dill, 86, finished his work here on earth on Monday, January 8, 2024. If Heaven has a garden spot, he no doubt started his new garden in Heaven after some sweet reunions with his family and friends. He was born on May 5, 1937, in Monroe County, Mississippi to the late Irb and Clesta Little Dill.

Ralph grew up in the Parham Gin Community, in a very large farming family with four sisters and three brothers. He graduated from Smithville High School in 1956. Ralph enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard at age 17 and served for over 42 years retiring as a Master Sargeant having been federalized in both the 1962 Ole Miss Meredith Uprising and Operation Desert Storm. Ralph was no stranger to hard work, and initially worked in the clothing industry at Amory Garment. He later owned and operated a construction business that built many FHA homes in Monroe County. After retirement, he did not slow down. He worked and served as the President and Operator at the Gaines Trace Water Association in Smithville, MS. He took great pride in being instrumental in providing clean, affordable water for his community. He was extremely proud when the U.S. Department of Agriculture named Gaines Trace the Rural Water System of the Year for 2014.

He was a longtime member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he served as both a Secretary and Treasurer for over 40 years. He loved his church family as his own and enjoyed listening to traditional Gospel music. He was a great neighbor, friend, true patriot, and loved his family dearly. Ralph married his best friend, Rebecca Joan Majors on April 12, 1984 and they had many wonderful years together. He enjoyed traveling with Rebecca, especially to the Smoky Mountains. In addition to his wife, Ralph was blessed by God with 5 cherished children, 9 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren whom he cared for deeply. Ralph also had another best friend, his dog “Gizmo” and they spent many the hours together eating ice cream, while watching Hee Haw and Sanford & Son. He was a fan of country music, especially George Jones.
Ralph was a hard worker, never tiring, and he could fix or build anything. When he wasn’t investing time in his family, friends, or his work, he could be found in his favorite place, his garden. He loved to plant God’s earth and see the fruits of his labor. He enjoyed cooking what he grew, but he gave most of it away to family and friends. He was a beloved papaw and a great storyteller. He had a great sense of humor and could make anyone smile. He could often be heard singing, “Christmastime’s a Coming”, and “A rabbit ain’t got no tail at all! It’s just a powder puff!”

There’s no doubt that he’s in Heaven, spending eternity in the presence of God. He will be missed here, yet the legacy of love he leaves will live on in our hearts and minds…Until we meet again Ralph.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Dill, Amory, MS; daughters, Patricia Adams (Tim), Smithville, MS, and Carrie Ligon (Tony), Smithville; sons, Tony Dill (Felicia), Amory, Terry Dill (Gena), Hamilton, and Kevin Dill (Brandy), Amory; sisters, Peggy Nash (Dillard), Amory, MS and Marilyn Gaines (Richard), Pulaski, TN, grandchildren, Eric Dill (Lauren), Lorie Crenshaw (Chris), Leah Doyle (Adam), Jordan Leech, Cate Dill, Caroline Dill, Blake Ligon, Tyler Ligon (Brooklyn), and Triston Ligon; great-grandchildren, Anna Kate & Cooper Crenshaw; Reese & Ava Claire Doyle; Reese Washington & Truett Dill; Jax and Myla Pittman; a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Lurlene Adams and Jean Stewart; and three brothers, Franz, Harold, and Norris Dill. Special friends: Paul Ray Parham and Glen Duvall.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 11:00 am at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home in Amory, MS with Bro. Phillip Lindsey officiating. The burial, with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at New Hope Cemetery, Hatley, Mississippi. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Board Members of the Gaines Trace Water Association: Charles Marshall, Harold Stanford, Kerry Mitchell, Robert Vaughn, and friends: Ira Kennedy, Harold West, Milton Spees, and Leslie Spann.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at the funeral home on Friday evening, January 12, 2024, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

Donations may be made in his honor to the Amory Humane Society.