Ralph Ledoux Yokley

The Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Yokley will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED!

Ralph Ledoux Yokley aged 101, of Atlanta, Georgia was born to Allie Hauser Yokley and Alfred Frank Yokley in Winston Salem, North Carolina on March 13, 1919.  He attended the public schools in that city, received a B.S. Degree from Winston Salem State University and his M.A. and EDS from North Carolina Central University.  Immediately after graduating from college, Ralph became a principal in Hollister, North Carolina.  After three years of service in the Armed Forces, he returned to a teaching/coaching position at the Apex Consolidated School in Apex, North Carolina.  He also taught at Burton School and was principal at Walltown Elementary School, East End Elementary School and Rogers Herr Junior High School all in Durham, North Carolina.  He was also principal of Kingswood School in Cary, N.C. – A total of five principalships from 1945 to 1985.

 He was also in the COED Project at North Carolina Central University where under the direction of Dr. George Shipman, he assisted in the planning of several statewide principal conferences.  He was a faithful 60-year member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Durham, where he was a Sunday school teacher, member of the senior choir and moderator of the Trustee Board on several occasions.  For the last 15 years of his life, Ralph and his wife, Jo, moved to live with his daughter Vickie and her husband in Atlanta, Georgia where he became an associate member of Radcliffe Presbyterian Church on the westside of Atlanta, Georgia.

 He was preceased in death by both parents, a loyal and loving wife, Josephine Evans Yokley and two older brothers, Thaddius and Charles.  Community activities include, Phi Delta Kappa, Seventy-three year member of Phi Beta Sigma, President Wake County Teachers Association, President Durham Teachers Association, Secretary, James E. Shepard Sertoma Club, Boy Scouts of America as a Cubmaster, Scout master, committee man, Institutional Representative at three sites, NEA-R and NCEA-R, Realtor with Howard Perry and Walston, Special Agent, Globe Life Insurance; Chess Club, L. W. Walker Center, co-owner the Village Grill, Apex, NC and a member of the American Legion.

 Ralph Yokley was a proud member of the Durham community where he took great pride in the success and accomplishments of his former students, colleagues and friends as well as the tremendous growth in Durham City that took place with the addition of the Research Triangle Park and surrounding areas during the 60s, 70s and 80s.  He was a proud and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and dedicated husband to his wife of 67 years.

 Ralph’s first retirement was from Durham City Schools in 1985.  His second retirement came after a long successful 2nd career as a Real Estate Agent for Howard Perry and Walston Realty in 2000, which provided time to assist with his wife’s health needs.

 Ralph was a dedicated public servant, who was loved by all who knew him. He was a voracious reader and always kept up with the affairs in Durham even after he moved to Atlanta, Georgia.  He loved watching sports, playing chess, traveling, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was always overjoyed to hear from former students, co-workers or friends and family during the later years of his life. 

 The last 15 years of his life he lived with his daughter in Atlanta, Georgia where he was loved, cared for and cherished as the Lion of the Yokley family.

He is survived by a daughter, Ms. Vickie Yokley-Wiggins, Esq. (Ronald) of Hoschton, Georgia and Grandchildren, Kellie Streat (Geoff), Danielle Lawrence, Bria Wiggins and Tiana Wiggins all of Atlanta, Georgia. Sister-in-laws Regina Daniels (Calvin) of Durham N.C., Carolyn Sumner of Willingboro, N.J., Nephews Calvin Daniels (Linh) of Durham, N.C. and James Sumner of Philadelphia, a special cousin, Robertina (Bobbie )Lewis of Newport News, Virginia and many cousins in the Hauser, Carter, Speaks and McIver Families.  And a special daughter, Ms. Robin Solomon Walton (Ken) of Boyds, Maryland.

 A Celebration of Life Service for Ralph Ledoux Yokley is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 2620 E. Weaver Street, Durham, N.C. at 2 pm.  Condolences/Meeting with the Family from 1:30 pm to 2:00 at the church.  Flowers or cards can be delivered to Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor, 3137 Fayetteville Street, Durham, N.C. 27707. The Family asks for your thoughts and prayers at this time. 

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