David E. Ralston

Speaker David E. Ralston, 68, of Blue Ridge, formerly of Ellijay, died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.

He was born March 14, 1954, in Ellijay, and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.

He graduated from Gilmer High School, class of 1972, and graduated from North Georgia College in 1976. He earned his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1980. He operated his own law firm in Blue Ridge, practicing in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit for over 40 years.

First elected to the Georgia Senate in 1992, he was later elected to the Georgia House of Representatives where he served his district for over 20 years and guided the chamber as Speaker of the House for the last 13 years.

He is preceded in death by father, David Willard Ralston.

He is survived by wife, Sheree Little Ralston; daughters and son-in-law, Elizabeth C. Ralston, of Atlanta, and Erin Bradburn Pritchett (Tony), of Ellijay; sons and daughter-in-law, Matthew D. Ralston, of Atlanta, and Eric Bradburn (Samantha), of Ellijay; grandchildren, Will Bradburn, Josie Bradburn and Paisley Deboard; mother, Ernestine Pettit Ralston, of Ellijay; brothers and sisters-in-law, John Wendell and Joy Ralston, of Johns Creek, George and Kim Ralston, Dennis and Chrisse Ralston and Steve Ralston, all of Ellijay; and several nieces and nephews.

He will lie in state at the Georgia State Capitol Building until 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, with remarks by the Rev. Len Walker.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m.  Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, from the Blue Ridge Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Fannin County High School with the Rev. Randy Nix, Gov. Nathan Deal, the Rev. Chan Mitchell and the Rev. Mack Jackson officiating.

A private family graveside service will follow in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Ellijay with the Rev. Steve Jones officiating.

The Georgia State Patrol Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers will be his legislative “band of brothers,” the Hon. John Burns, Hon. Matt Hatchett, Hon. Richard Smith, Hon. Terry England, Hon. Doug Collins, and the Hon. Rick Jasperse, along with members of the Speakers’ Georgia State Patrol detail, Corporal Vince Mooney, Shannon Carroll, Daryl Benton, Spencer Munger, David James, Gerald Hanna, Chris Choi, Ed Odum and Ronnie Lee.

Local visitations will be held from 2-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at the Logan Funeral Home and Chapel and from 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, from Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations in Blue Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Willard and Ernestine Ralston Scholarship Fund at the University of North Georgia, in care of the UNG Foundation, 60 West Main Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533 or at www.unggive.org in memory of Speaker David E. Ralston.

Logan Funeral Home & Chapel is in charge of arrangements.