Ralph Rhea

Ralph Earl Rhea, age 88, of Gulfport, passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2010 in Gulfport.
Mr. Rhea was a native of Savannah, TN and graduated from Savannah High School. From 1951 - 1997, he managed and operated Tucker's Coin Laundry and Dry Cleaners and later became Martha's Laundry and Cleaners, and known to many as ""Uncle Ralph."" He went to work at the Harrison County Sheriffs's Department as a Court Bailiff from 1997 - 2003. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII, serving under William Faulkner. He was a member of Burton Memorial United Methodist Church where he served as a Lay Leader and Sunday School Superintendant from 1956 - 1998, and was selected as Man of the Year in 1998. Mr. Rhea was currently attending Handsboro United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Rhea, a daughter, Brenda Rhea, a son, Baby Boy Rhea, his parents, Charlie and Annie Rhea, a brother, Arthur Rhea, and 3 sisters, Roxie Sawner, Frankie Davidson, and Louise Welch.
Survivors include his wife, Maureen Rhea, 2 daughters, Barbara (John) McCay, Sandra (James) Randall, all of Gulfport, a son, Richard (Donna) Rhea, Leoma, TN, grandchildren, Jeff McCoy, Rev. John McCay, III, Lee McCoy, Hope Boyles, Amber Payne, Stephen McCay, and Jamison Rhea, and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Canon Hospice, Memorial Hospital, Dr. Schepens and Dr. Pakron.
The funeral service will be 2 pm Saturday, November 27, 2010 at Handsboro United Methodist Church where friends may visit from 1 - 2 pm. A private graveside service will be held at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart association or the American Lung Association.