Lane Yates Ragsdale
Lane Ragsdale, son of the late Earl and Grace Ragsdale of Easley SC, died Monday, January 19, 2015 from complications of the flu.
Born in 1935, Lane was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Smith Ragsdale. He is survived by his children David Charles Ragsdale of Spartanburg SC, Susan Ragsdale King of Mount Pleasant S.C. and by his granddaughter Kelly King Gainey (wife of Jason Gainey) of Greenville, SC. He was the proud great-grandfather of recently born (11-11-2014) Solomon DeWitt Gainey. Lane was blessed to be able to celebrate Christmas 2014 healthy and happy surrounded by family and friends. Formally a member of Spartanburg First Baptist Church, Lane and his daughter Susan joined Mount Pleasant Presbyterian church in 2014. He had moved to Mt. Pleasant in 2013 to reside with his daughter.
Lane will probably best be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of life and the friendships he made and steadfastly maintained. He graduated from Easley High School in 1953, attended Clemson College and served in the Army at Ft. Bliss until 1957. Lane had a successful 30 year career with Ryder Truck Rental in Spartanburg and considered his team there to be his greatest asset. He was elected into the Ryder Roundtable in 1971 for superlative sales and leadership. He also served in the 1980s as Spartanburg Auditorium Commission chairman. Lane was a devoted member of the North Spartanburg Rotary Club and served as its president in 1984-85.
While living in the Lowcountry the last 2 years of his life, Lane developed a keen appetite for Charleston oyster roasts and fresh seafood. He had, in fact, greatly improved his skill with an oyster knife. Lane learned to love the Lowcountry but his heart never left the Piedmont and the Escarpment regions of SC. Although his absence will leave a great void in the lives of family and friends, he was ready to meet his maker.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, January 22 at Easley First United Methodist Church. From 12:30-1:45 p.m. there will be time for fellowship at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown with Lane's family. Graveside service immediately following at Greenlawn Memorial Park.