Ralph Emory Walton

Obituary For Ralph Emory Walton

Ralph Emory Walton was born on October 21, 1960, in Bartow, Georgia to Catherine Swint and Redell Walton. He transitioned from labor to reward on April 10, 2025, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Ralph was a loving father, husband, son, family man, and friend who loved life and people. His genuine, hardworking, and spirited personality will be remembered by all. Ralph grew up in Bartow, GA, attending elementary and Jr High in Jefferson County, where he consistently excelled. He attended a boarding high school ,Boggs Academy in Keysville, GA, where he graduated as Salutatorian of the Class of 1978. He lettered in basketball and track and was a member of the choir. Ralph went on to attend the University of Georgia in Athens(1978-1982,1990), where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. A lifelong member of Mt. Pleasant CME Church in Bartow, he was also an active member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist in Houston since 2015. Professionally Ralph worked in corporate and public sector sales management for over 35 years, most recently with MSC Industrial in Houston and Atlanta .Ralph was also coach to many youth basketball players as for over forty years he worked with several youth and Elite AAU teams impacting numerous lives on and off the court.

Ralph was deeply loved by many. Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife, Melody Elzy Walton of Katy, TX; his son, Bryan DeShawn Walton of Atlanta, GA; his beloved mother, Catherine Swint of Bartow, GA; and his uncle, Carswell (Edna) Swint of Louisville, GA, who was like a father to him. His cherished son, Ralph Emory Walton II, preceded him in death.

Also mourning his passing are his aunts and uncles: Clifford (Elaine) Swint of Atlanta, GA and Marie Jean Swint of Bartow, GA who helped raise him, Michael (Sarah) Swint of Suwanee, GA; Patricia (Mark) Merritt of Savannah, GA; Peggy (Cedric) Swint Adams of Atlanta, GA; Edwin (Laverne) Elzy of Columbus, GA; Lemuel Elzy of Marietta, GA; and Leo Elzy of Boston, MA.

Ralph will be deeply missed by his special first cousins, Keith (Vicki) Swint of Magnolia, TX, and Candace (Hollis) Bethea of Atlanta, GA; “nieces and nephews”: Shayla Swint of McDonough, GA; Jalen Swint of Magnolia, TX; and Riley Bethea of Atlanta, GA. Other close family members include his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Elzy of Thomasville, GA; sister-in-law, Lydia E. Furtick, Duluth, GA; and brothers-in-law Rudolph A. Elzy Jr. (Monica) Stone Mountain, GA and Ronald K. Elzy Sr. Lithonia GA. Special nieces and nephews also includes :William L. Andrews Jr. (Ashley), Micah R. Andrews, Khea Andrews, Raylen A. Elzy, Ryan A. Elzy, Rudolph A. Elzy III, Cynthia Elizabeth Elzy, Ronald K. Elzy III, Henry B. Furtick (Katie), and Taylor Furtick, and their families.

Ralph is also remembered fondly by a large circle of extended family, including cousins: Judson Jones, Harold Jones, Kathy Johnson, Quinteen James, Nita James, Shelia(James) Knox, Dionne (Ronnie) Battle, Joelle Elzy, Leighanne (Nolan) Terry, Renee (Marvin) Bush, Eric Donald, Leo Jr. (Rachael) Elzy, Gregory (Jennifer) Donald, Katrina Collins, Leon (Charlotte) Donald, Kay (Tony) Mickens, Anissa (Richard) Boyd and their families. Ralph will also be missed by many other close friends and family.

In addition to his son Ralph Emory Walton II, Ralph was preceded in death by his grandmother Bertha Lee Carswell Swint, grandfather Clifford Swint, great-aunts and uncles Marie Jean “Carswell, Robert Lee Jones, David “Buff” Carswell, aunt Mattie Jean Swint, cousin Christopher Michael Swint, and father-in-law Rudolph Elzy.

Davis Funeral Home, 725 Beech Street, Louisville, GA is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Ralph Emory Walton.