Speaker David E. Ralston, age 68 of Blue Ridge, GA, formerly of Ellijay, GA passed Wednesday, November 16th, 2022, at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.

Speaker Ralston was born March 14th, 1954, in Ellijay, GA and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. He graduated from Gilmer High School, Class of 1972 and graduated from North Georgia College in 1976. David earned his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1980. He operated his own law firm in Blue Ridge, GA practicing in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit for over 40 years. First elected to the Georgia Senate in 1992, David was later elected to the Georgia House of Representatives where he served his district for over 20 years and guided the chamber as Speaker of the House for the last 13 years. He is preceded in death by his father, David Willard Ralston.

David is survived by his wife, Sheree Little Ralston of the home in Blue Ridge, GA; daughters and son-in-law, Elizabeth C. Ralston of Atlanta, GA and Erin Bradburn Pritchett (Tony) of Ellijay, GA; sons, Matthew D. Ralston of Atlanta, GA and Eric Bradburn of Ellijay, GA; grandchildren, Will Bradburn, Josie Bradburn and Paisley Deboard; mother, Ernestine Pettit Ralston of Ellijay, GA; brothers and sisters-in-law, John Wendell and Joy Ralston of Johns Creek, GA, George and Kim Ralston of Ellijay, GA, Dennis and Chrisse Ralston of Ellijay, GA, and Steve Ralston of Ellijay, GA. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Speaker Ralston will lie-in-state at the Georgia State Capitol Building from 11am on Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022, beginning with remarks by Rev. Len Walker, until 11am on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 1 pm on Sunday, November 27th, 2022, from the Blue Ridge Performing Arts Center with Rev. Randy Nix, Governor Nathan Deal, Rev. Chan Mitchell, Rev. Mack Jackson officiating. A private family graveside service will follow in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Ellijay, GA with Rev. Steve Jones officiating. The Georgia State Patrol Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be his legislative "band of brothers", the Hon. John Burns, Hon. Matt Hatchett, Hon. Richard Smith, Hon. Terry England, Hon. Doug Collins, and the Hon. Rick Jasperse along with members of the Speakers' Georgia State Patrol detail, Corporal Vince Mooney, Shannon Carroll, Daryl Benton, Spencer Munger, David James, Gerald Hanna, Chris Choi, Ed Odum and Ronnie Lee.

Local visitations will be held from 2pm until 7pm on Friday, November 25th, 2022, at the Logan Funeral Home and Chapel in Ellijay, GA and also from 2pm until 7pm on Saturday, November 26th, 2022, from Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations in Blue Ridge, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to the Willard and Ernestine Ralston Scholarship Fund at the University of North Georgia, in care of the UNG Foundation, 60 West Main Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533 or at www.ungive.org in memory of Speaker David E. Ralston. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.loganfuneralhome.com. Logan Funeral Home & Chapel are in charge of the arrangements.