Edward Carlyle Ragans, 71, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, at his residence in Valdosta, Ga. Carlyle was born on Oct. 11, 1945 in Valdosta, Ga. to Waldron Carlyle Ragans and Elizabeth Black Ragans.
Carlyle was a graduate of Madison High School and North Florida Junior College in Madison, Fl. He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and received his B.S. degree in Business Administration Management from Valdosta State College in Valdosta, Ga. He served in the Army Reserve as a Supply Sergeant.
Mr. Ragans joined Gold Kist in 1969 and served as a Personnel Manager and Sales Manager at the poultry divisions in Boaz, Al., Canton, Ga., and Ellijay, Ga. before being named West Georgia Division Sales Manager, in Carrollton, Ga., in 1974. In 1988 he was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of Golden Poultry Inc. in Douglas, Ga., and served this position until his retirement in 2003.
Carlyle was a member and past Director of the Douglas Rotary Club, Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers Council and Coffee County Cattlemen’s Association. He was also past President of the Georgia Veterinary Association. Mr. Ragans served as Vice President, Senior Vice President and President of the Georgia Poultry Federation. He also served on the Georgia Poultry Federation Board of Directors and was a Life Member of the Poultry Leaders Round Table.
Following retirement, Carlyle was a successful co-owner of McEver Meat Inc. and enjoyed his family farm, which encompassed cattle, agriculture and timber businesses. He was an avid Gator fan and booster. Carlyle loved his family unconditionally and enjoyed providing them with shared memories of hunting, fishing, vacationing and spending quality time together. Mr. Ragans was a member of Lee United Methodist Church in Lee, Fl.
Mr. Ragans was preceded in death by his father, Waldron Carlyle Ragans; mother, Elizabeth Black Ragans; brother, Clifford Ragans; and niece, Misty Hardee.
Carlyle is survived by his wife, Debbie Kirkland Ragans; son, Lance Carlyle Ragans; daughter, Dana Ragans Burchfield (Ron); sister, Annelle Bishop; two grandchildren, Ragan Hayse Burchfield and Rydge Jones Burchfield; niece, Ashley Hardee; great nephew, Harrison Buck; and stepdaughters: Barbie Heffernan, Kellie Tucker (Tony), Amie Bendall (Tommy) and Anna Beth Purvis (Justin).
A graveside service was held on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. at Macedonia Cemetery with Steve McHargue officiating. The family received friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24 at Burns Funeral Home of Madison. All arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Madison.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lee United Methodist Church (103 W Wesley Street, Lee, Fl. 32059) or the Macedonia Cemetery Fund (Macedonia Baptist Church, attn. Cemetery Fund, 5539 E US 90, Lee, Fl. 32059).
Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.