ATMORE – Ralph V. Steadham, 71, born at home on Jan. 11, 1940 in McCullough passed away peacefully at his residence in Atmore on April 23, 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

A beloved husband, father and grandfather, he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Ralph was a welder/pipe fitter at various heavy construction jobs for 40 years and a residential carpenter at times. He loved fishing, hunting and Alabama football. He was the president of the McCullough Hunting Club for 10 years and was a member of New Providence Baptist Church in Bay Minette.

His parents, Clyde and Bertha Steadham, a daughter, Rhonda Steadham; four half brothers, Gaston, Buford, Eugene and James R. King and one half sister, Maxine King, preceded him in death.

He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted companion/wife of 32 years, Gilda Steadham; six children, Jason of Atmore, Vernon “Rusty” (Michelle) Steadham, Susan “Renee” Steadham, Lorie (Jason) Oscarson and Ralph “Michael” (Amanda) Steadham, all of Winterhaven, Fla. and Jerry Lee McKinzie of California; 12 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Also a very loving and caring family, one brother, John M. Steadham of Atmore; three sisters; Marion Frances Lassiter and Sadie Weeks, both of Pensacola, Fla. and Sharon (Fred) Maddow of Atmore; a special cousin, Charles E. Steadham; special friend, Chip Clopton and also Ralph’s dog “Bandit” and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on April 26, 2011 from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ron McGhee and the Rev. James Weber officiating. Interment will follow in Steadham Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Charles E. Steadham, Lacy Weaver, Pat Lassiter, Patrick R. Lassiter, John Cooper and Alan Wall.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on April 25, 2011 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of all arrangements.