Ralph Kenner
Ralph A. Kenner, Jr., 76, of Ringgold, Georgia, passed on from this life on June 15, 2021.
He was born on June 22, 1944, to his loving parents, Johnnie Bess Wilbanks Kenner and Ralph A. Kenner, Sr. He attended Ringgold High School, and then earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from West Georgia College in Carrollton. He was a founder of the Cavaliers, a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at the college. He served as a general partner and vice president of Manufacturing at Synthetic Industries for 27 years before retiring. While he was a very well-respected business partner in his professional life, he was equally respected and admired for his humble, kind and generous spirit. He attended and was a member of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church where he loved his pastors and the community. His hobbies included entertaining friends, cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, and most importantly, spending time with his grandson, Jake and granddaughter, Kenner Li.
Maybe one of the greatest testaments to his nature, is through the lifelong friendships that he kept, and his love and devotion to family. He taught us all even more later on through the physical pain he endured. He taught how to be gracious when hurting, how to be patient in the midst of uncertainly, how to find peace when all else is failing, and how to suffer gently when there seems to be no earthly cure. He leaves behind his loving wife, Janice, daughters, Erin Kenner and Bronwyn McRae Williams (Bill), two grandchildren, Jake and Kenner Li, and a brother, John C. Kenner.
Imagining life without him is lonely. Life is less happy, less safe, less gentle, less full…just…less. Papa Ralph, as we lovingly called him, inspired us with his wise words and the wonderful listener he was to each of us, even in the midst of great pain. We will cherish so many sweet memories which will surely come forefront in our minds as the days and years move on…a song, a story, a place, a season….we will long for these moments that will bring you back to us, if only for a brief moment.
He was a great blessing to his family. We were all better off for having known him and having him in our lives. Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
We love you Papa Ralph….we look forward to the day we will see you again.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Joe Novenson officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery.
Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share condolences with the family and view memorial tribute.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.
The family will receive friends 5-7 PM Friday and 10-11 AM Saturday at Heritage Funeral Home, Battlefield Parkway.