Ralph Madison Crotts

Ralph Madison Crotts, 82, of Green Pasture Lane, Valdese, NC died Sunday, February 7, 2010 at Grace Hospital following a period of declining health. Born in Cleveland County, NC on November 23, 1927, he was the son of the late Claudus Crotts and Hattie Cook Crotts. Ralph was a member of Morganton First Church of God. For 27 years he owned and operated Ralph Crotts Well Drilling. He also worked for many years in the residential construction industry. He loved building and selling home utility buildings. Ralph truly enjoyed his family and his work.Ralph is survived by his wife, Naomi "Peggy" Cagle Crotts of the home; sons, Kirby Crotts and wife Doris, of Valdese, Michael Crotts and wife, Darlene, of Valdese, and Todd Crotts and wife, Cyndi, of Winter Park, FL; a daughter, Connie Anderson and husband, Joe, of La Plata, MD; grandchildren, Aaron Crotts and wife, Celeste, Jacob Anderson, Peter Anderson, Zachary Crotts, Tiffany Callahan, and Matthew Crotts; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Wayne Crotts and wife, Sarah, of Belwood, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharon Crotts Callahan; and brothers, Russell, Clyde, and Raymond Crotts; and a sister, Dessie Canipe Duckworth.The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at Morganton First Church of God with Reverends Tim Kufeldt, Don Smith, and Dr. Don Blankenship officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.