Beverly Jean Ralston

Beverly Ralston, 73, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday morning, June 21, 2023. Bev was a 1968 graduate of Ahrens High School. For most of her life, she worked as a receptionist for Paul Semonin Realtors; then as an infant caregiver at Highland Community Ministries for several years before retiring.

Bev was a devout Catholic and member of Saint Vincent de Paul Church where she shared her faith as a Eucharistic minister and choir member. Once they closed, she went to Holy Family Church where she continued to be an active member for many years. Bev felt a calling to help others by donating to many treasured causes and buying clothing and presents for children in need. She could be frequently seen offering rides to little old ladies she found waiting for buses. Bev loved children, especially babies, and was frequently asking the next generation for more grandbabies. Once her grandchildren matured into adults, she asked them for great-grandbabies.

Bev loved to host parties and feed her family and friends. Her home was the setting for many family Christmases, birthdays, and Derby parties. Bev was known to fix well over twice the amount of food needed and then to send leftovers home with her guests and take plates to elderly neighbors. She would greet anyone entering her home, both current friends and friends she had not yet met (she never knew strangers) with a loving hug and an offer of food and drink. Bev did not realize the impact of these loving gestures and many of her daughter's friends consider her to be their second mom.

She was preceded in death by her mother (and first and longest best friend) Minnie Netherton (Osbourne); her father, Ernest Netherton, and her ex-husband, William Richie.

Bev is survived (and dearly missed) by her husband of nearly 30 years, Michael Ralston; daughter, Alisa Childress (John); stepsons, Chris Ralston (Michelle), Brian Ralston (Nicole), and Kevin Ralston (Pam); her best friend and honorary sister, Mary Healy Woods; several grandchildren and the many now adults that she lovingly mothered, fed, and welcomed into her home over the years.

There will be a very brief graveside ceremony at the chapel at Calvary Cemetery, 1600 Newburg Rd. Louisville, KY 40205, at 12pm on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. All are welcome to come and show their support. Due to the brief nature of the ceremony, the chapel is unable to accept flowers and gifts. In lieu of these, please donate in her name to Hosparus Health of Louisville so that they may continue to provide the amazing care and support she and her family received during the last month of her life.


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