Age at death- 96. Parents; David Jasper and Lillie Cox Banning. He was predeceased by seven siblings, Exa Perkins, Edith Holliday, Jones Banning, Owen Banning, Alma Sentelle, Ina Pace, and Annie Lou Jackson. Ralph gradu-ated from Etowah High School, where he ran track and successfully competed in speaking contests. In 1934, he married Veda Estelle Moffitt. On July 4, 1942, Ralph was ordained to the ministry at Boylston Baptist Church. While his children were growing up, he attended Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, graduating in 1951. In 1952, he and his son, Jack, built the mountain cabin he has used for meditation and study throughout the years. He pastored New Salem, Blantyre, Etowah, Pleasant Grove, Mount Moriah, Pacolet, Enon, West Hendersonville, Fletcher, Mountain Home and Campfield Baptist Churches. He also taught singing schools in churches throughout the area.
When Ralph retired in 1974, he and Estelle moved back to the foot of Forge Mountain in Boylston, part of his home place, which was a land grant to the Banning family in the mid-1800s. His love for Forge Mountain grew as the years passed. During his retire-ment, he served as interim pastor to many churches. He also taught Bible studies, wrote poetry, grew a garden most years and regularly visited shut-ins.
Ralph is survived by his devoted wife of 73 years, Estelle. Son; Jack Banning. Daughters; Valeria Creech, Betty Jones, Doris Marlowe, and Dixie Rodgers. Sister; Mary Holden.
Grandchildren; Bob Creech, Karen Creech Ferree, John Creech, Andy Jones, Laura Jones Beaver, Allen Banning, Janet Banning Will, Ralph Banning, Paula Banning, Amy Marlowe Laughter, David Banning Marlowe, Benjamin Marlowe, Brian Rodgers, Carrie Rodgers Hooverm and Josh Rodgers.
Great-grandchildren are Matthew Creech, Beth Creech, Clay Graham, Jake Graham, Drew, Tate and Clay Jones, Kennedy and Brayden Beaver, Meredith, Gracen, Courtney, Emily, and Alex Banning, Emma Laughter, Wyatt, Caroline, and Elijah Marlowe.