Bernelle Ragland Obituary

Bernelle B. Ragland, 94, passed away at a Colorado Springs Assisted Living facility on December 4, 2014. Bernelle was born in Marshall, AK, September 13, 1920 to Mamie and Benjamin Basham. She moved to Southern California with her family and during World War II began her professional career as a Contracts Administer at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Base in Mojave, CA. At Mojave she met her husband Lt. Cdr. Thomas W. Ragland, a career naval officer.

During their marriage they moved 32 times, including a tour of duty on the island of Guam where she was the highest ranking civilian working for the Department of Defense. Bernelle had a gift for making loving homes at each of the family stops, however short. She was a gracious hostess and her ability to easily create loyal friends left lifelong relationships in each military community. In 1992, Bernelle moved to Colorado Springs to be near family and she immediately developed a wide circle of friends through the Broadmoor Social Club, many different contract bridge groups, and the local chapter of the Navy-Marine Wives Club.

Bernelle was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Thomas, her brother Harry Basham, and four sisters: Wenoka Amos, Juanita Smith, Ann Reilly and Benny Dotts.

She is survived by her three children, Suellen Farrington of Potomac, MD, Henrietta Brownlow (Blaine) of Colorado Springs, and James Ragland (Susan) of Arnold, MD along with six grandchildren Tad Farrington (Regina), Kyra Farrington, Bradley Brownlow (Greta), Laura Brownlow Boreing, Zachary Ragland (Virginia), Joshua Ragland, and six great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Bernelle's life, followed by a reception, will be held at 2 p.m. on January 9, 2015 at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

Bernelle was a lifelong supporter of military families as a volunteer and as President of various chapters of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. The family requests that contributions in the name of Bernelle B. Ragland be made to: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 801 N. Randolph St., Suite 1228, Arlington, VA 22203.