Community gathers for Highway 52 dedication ceremony
The rainy weather didn’t stop dozens of family members, friends and colleagues of late House Speaker David Ralston from laughing, crying and even singing at Friday morning’s road dedication ceremony.
Highway 52 in Gilmer County has been dedicated to Ralston, an Ellijay native who led the House for 13 years before passing away in 2022 at the age of 68. He was the longest serving Republican speaker in state history, but that just scratches the surface of his impact.
It was gray and gloomy outside, but the Oakland Community House in East Ellijay was filled with light as people shared their fondest memories with Ralston, and spoke highly of his contributions to the state of Georgia.
State Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, as well as state Rep. Johnny Chastain, R-Blue Ridge, led the dedication ceremony. State Rep. Rick Jasperse, R-Jasper, originally made the dedication announcement but was unable to attend due to health reasons.
“[David] has done a great job raising his family here and loved this community,” Gooch said. “[He] really set the gold standard on that in this area of the state. He gave back to this community, worked hard in Atlanta as speaker … but he wanted to take care of his people back home first. That was his first priority, just like it should be for all of us.”
Gooch shared how honored he was to be a part of this resolution, passed by the House and the Senate, that dedicates an interstate connector, bridge and highway in Ralston’s memory. That includes a portion of the State Route 5 Connector in Fannin, the new bridge over Toccoa River in Fannin and a portion of State Route 52 in Gilmer, from Aaron Road to the Murray County line.
“His legacy will live on as all who travel through this interstate connector, the bridge and the highway will see his name forever being recognized,” Chastain said as he read the resolution.
Besides Chastain, state Rep. Will Wade, R-Dawsonville, and state Rep. Steve Tarvin, R-Chickamauga, also shared what it was like to work with Ralston in the House.
“He would always say ‘None of us are perfect, but we have to get up every single day and try to make Georgia a little bit better,’ and I believe he did that, and that was his passion,” Wade shared. “I loved him, and I know all of you did, and this is just a beautiful day, so thank you.”
Many family members attended the dedication ceremony, including Ralston’s wife Sheree, who laughed and cried as stories of her husband’s kindness were shared, and son, Matthew Ralston, who recalled how his father was as a politician.
“When he got elected as speaker, he wanted to make sure that people in the House of Representatives could still do hard work, and still do things with an open mind, be fair and have civility to everybody,” he said.
“I think it’s fitting that we have roads and bridges named for David, because he bridged both sides of the aisle,” Spiro Amburn, who worked for Ralston and the House, added. “I know he never was a fan of having buildings named after him, but too bad, right? I think he would appreciate it, and it’s a lasting legacy for him.”
Turniptown Baptist Church’s Rev. Steve Jones opened the ceremony in prayer and closed it by calling some of the speaker’s family members to the front to lead the crowd in song. People wiped the tears from their eyes, joined arms and sang “Amazing Grace” with Ralston’s legacy in mind.