Obituary Ralph Virgil Dent

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RALPH VIRGIL DENT, youngest of two children was born on September 5, 1922 to the late Roy Sir Leon Dent and his wife Virgie Stewart Dent of Roanoke, Virginia. His sister Felonise preceded him in death, October 24, 1999.

Ralph completed his early education in the Roanoke County Training School at Salem, Virginia, and went on to graduate from George Washington Carver High School also in Salem, Virginia.

In Salem, Virginia, Ralph attended the A.M.E. Methodist Church and after migrating to Washington, D.C., he attended Asbury Methodist and joined 12th Street Christian Church of Washington, D.C.

In 1943, Ralph married his high school sweetheart and two children were born of this union, daughter Billye Jean Dent-Armstrong and a son who preceded him in death, Ralph Michael "Mike" Dent.

During World War 11, Ralph served as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corp, in the Pacific area. After returning from the service in December 1945, he resided in Washington, D.C., and was employed at the U.S. Post Office for 33 years.  He continued serving God at 12th Street Christian Church as president of the Flower Club, driver of the church van, transporting the seniors to and from church, this he enjoyed very much. Later on he was ordained as a Deacon of 12th Street Christian Church. Ralph received numerous awards and recognitions for his services over the years at 12th Street Christian Church. He performed many services in every capacity. He also served as president of the Bethany House Residences Association. Ralph was also a member of the D.C. Old Timers Basketball Club, which he was a basketball star in his early days.  Ralph was married to the late Elizabeth McCard, who preceded him in death on March 14,1999.  On Sunday evening November 21, 1999, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Ralph took refuge in the bosom of Jesus Christ, Our Savior.

Ralph leaves others to join in his home going, his devoted daughter, Billye Jean Dent-Armstrong and grandson Tyrone of Washington, DC; devoted cousins, Harriet Saunders of Columbia, MD, Courtney (Edna) Saunders of Laurel, MD; brothers-in-law, Jeff Fuller, Edgar McCard; sisters-in-law Sylvia (Alger) Reed, Annette (Carl) Swinney all of Washington, D.C. and a host of relatives and many friends.