David Ralston

Speaker David E. Ralston, age 68 of Blue Ridge, Georgia, formerly of Ellijay, Georgia, passed Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.

Speaker Ralston 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. David earned his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1980. He operated his own law firm in Blue Ridge, Georgia, practicing in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit for over 40 years. First elected to the Georgia Senate in 1992, David 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 was preceded in death by his father, David Willard Ralston.

David is survived by his wife, Sheree Little Ralston of the home in Blue Ridge; daughters and son-in-law, Elizabeth C. Ralston of Atlanta, Georgia, 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, Georgia, George and Kim Ralston of Ellijay, Dennis and Chrisse Ralston of Ellijay, and Steve Ralston of Ellijay. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Speaker Ralston will lie-in-state at the Georgia State Capitol Building from 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 22, 2022, beginning with remarks by the Rev. Len Walker, until 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2022.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, November 27, 2022, from the Blue Ridge Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Fannin County High School, with  the Rev. Randy Nix, Governor 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 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, November 25, 2022, at the Logan Funeral Home and Chapel in Ellijay and also from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday, November 26, 2022, from Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may 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, Georgia 30533 or at www.unggive.org in memory of Speaker David E. Ralston.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.loganfuneralhome.com or www.akinscobb.com   

Logan Funeral Home & Chapel of Ellijay, Georgia and Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, Georgia  are in charge of the arrangements.