Dorothy Louise Ragland
December 6, 1924 — May 27, 2016
Dorothy Louise Kelley Ragland, 91, passed away on May 27, 2016 at her home
in
Seal Beach, California.
She
was born on
December 6, 1924
in
Italy, Texas
to W. Oscar Kelley and Etta McCracken
Kelley
, the 11th of 12 children.
Dorothy grew up in Italy and Spur, Texas graduating from Spur High School in 1940. Following high school, she attended Texas Tech in Lubbock for one year before moving to California. She worked in the offices of Vultee Aircraft in Downey, California during World War II. After the war, she attended Pepperdine University, where she met her future husband, Grady Bryan Ragland.
Dorothy grew up in Italy and Spur, Texas graduating from Spur High School in 1940. Following high school, she attended Texas Tech in Lubbock for one year before moving to California. She worked in the offices of Vultee Aircraft in Downey, California during World War II. After the war, she attended Pepperdine University, where she met her future husband, Grady Bryan Ragland.
Dorothy and Grady married on September 24, 1946 in Long Beach, California, and were happily married for just under 70 years. Dorothy received her teaching credential from Pepperdine University and her Master’s Degree in Education from California State University, Long Beach. She taught in the Garden Grove School District for 24 years. Dorothy had numerous interests: she was an expert seamstress, accomplished gardener, excellent cook, and avid bridge player. She was an active member of Cornerstone Church especially enjoying her bible study groups, a member of the Assistance League of Long Beach and the Long Beach Yacht Club.
Dorothy is survived by her spouse Grady, of Seal Beach, CA ; sister Betty McGar (Harley) of Dallas, Texas; daughters Priscilla Hoge (Bill) of Berkeley, CA, Deborah Neibling-Lorbeer of Long Beach, CA and son Brian Ragland of Orange, CA ; grandchildren Dana Dahlquist (Jennifer), Danielle Dahlquist Gotti (Joe), Heather Hoge, Hilary Hoge, Connor Ragland, Kelley Ragland and three great grandchildren Zachery Penney, Logan Dahlquist, Gavin Gotti and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and by her son, Grady Bruce Ragland.
Services are private.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Assistance League of Long Beach 6220 East Spring Street, Long Beach, CA 90815 in her memory.
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