Ralph L. Parsons

Ralph Lewis Parsons, resident of Ripley, WV passed away May 13th, 2026, at the Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV after a courageous 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Ralph was born June 23rd, 1949, in Charleston, WV to the late Morley and Pauline Parsons. He was a 1967 graduate of Ripley High School and a 1972 graduate of West Virginia University.

Ralph spent the majority of his career as a landman in the oil and gas business, retiring from EQT in 2019. Ralph was widely known for his interest in cars, particularly corvettes. He had over 150 cars in his lifetime with over 40 of those being his beloved Corvettes.

Ralph restored many cars, remodeled several houses and because of his abilities, he was always willing to offer his handyman skills to anyone in need.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 45 plus years, Jennifer Lynn (Pierce) Parsons, his daughter Taran Amanda Wolford, along with her husband, Jamion, and their two children, Ralph’s precious granddaughters, Ashlyn and Sophia Wolford. Ralph is also survived by his sister, Janet Ball of Atlanta and her two daughters, Julie of Texas and Carrie of Atlanta and his father-in-law, Dan Pierce of Williamstown, WV. Ralph shared great relationships and was loved by his two brothers-in-law, John Ball of Atlanta and John Pierce of High Point, NC. Along with his nieces Julie and Carrie is niece Jayne Pierce, John and Susan’s Pierce’s daughter of High Point, NC

Ralph was preceded in death by both his parents, his grandson, Sawyer Andrew Wolford, his brother-in-law, John Ball and his mother-in-law, Mary Pierce.

Ralph spent almost his entire life in Ripley other than his time in college while working road construction in the summers and after college. He lived in Clarksburg, WV for a number of years as well working in the oil and gas business. Ralph was fortunate enough to spend the majority of his life in Ripley; he shared many lifelong friends throughout the years and continued these relationships right up until his passing. Ralph attended and was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church his entire life and played an active role with the church’s food pantry and other local organizations. He was a lifelong fan of the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Ripley Vikings. Ralph had such a positive attitude and was loved very much by both his family and friends.

Visitation for Ralph will be from 5-8 pm, Saturday evening, May 16th at the Waybright Funeral Home in Ripley.

Funeral will be Monday evening, May 18th, 6 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church in Ripley with Reverand Steve Hamrick officiating and visitation 1 hour prior to the service.

Burial will be Tuesday, May 19th at the Fairview Cemetery in Fairplain with a car procession leaving the funeral home at 10 am driving by Ralph’s garage on the way to the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Calvary United Methodist Church at 205 North Court St. in Ripley, WV.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com