George Allen Ragsdale was born June 6,1955 in Talladega Co Alabama to Jessie and Ulua Ragsdale. Allen grew up in Sylacauga Al and lived there until he married the love of his life Claudette Gable on April 28, 1978. They later had 2 daughters, Misty and Marcy, 4 grandsons and eventually great grands. Allen was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend, but his favorite title was Paw Paw. His grands and great grands were his true joy.
Allen spent many years as a truck driver but after he had a family, he knew over the road wasn’t where he wanted to be. So, he worked many jobs until he found his true calling. Allen started his role in the fire service in 1983, taking his firefighter training course and first responder course at Vincent Fire Department. Soon after, Allen started another role in the fire service, as a salesman, that allowed him to still serve along his brotherhood of firefighters. Allen sold fire equipment for many years in Alabama, and he then took a position in Tennessee in 2004. This allowed him a district position with a lot of travel and even more territory and departments to cover. He was elated to form friendships, relationships, and bonds with so many firefighters from multiple states and areas. As Allen started facing some disabling health problems, he come off the road and briefly did his best to still serve from his home office. Allen officially retired in 2020.
After his retirement he found his true passion in life, that was his grandsons and his great grands. There was no higher honor for him than to be a Paw Paw. He would light up and his heart would melt every time he heard those 2 words, Paw Paw.
Allen was a member of Vincent Revival Center in Vincent Al for many years and in the last few years of his life, he attended Redemption Church in Pulaski Tn, as often as his health would allow. Allen loved his church family and thanked God for the friendships he blessed him with along the way.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, form 12:00pm to 2:00pm at Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory.
The funeral service will follow at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in the chapel of Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory with Ashlee Kimbrough and Jesse Miller officiating.
The burial will take place at Redemption Cemetery in Pulaski, TN.
Allen was preceded in death by his dad Jessie, mom Ulua, brothers Arlie, Row, Cecil, and Robert, Sisters Essie, Clara, Margie Ann, Margie Marie, and Glenda, his great grandsons Braxtyn, Zyler and Dayton.
Allen is survived by his loving wife Claudette, daughters Misty (Randy) and Marcy (Brian), his grandsons Joseph (Skylar), Jacob (Liv), Josh (Shelby), Ethan, and his great grands, Delilah Lou, Eleanor, Delilah Wynter, Oaklynn, Aerabella “Bella”, Shalynn and soon to be here, Theo. He is also survived by his brothers Ray (Marilyn), Boyce (Gail), his sisters Helen and Angie, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Allen’s dedication, loyalty and love to his family, friends, and brotherhood of firefighters will be sorely missed, but as he starts his new service in Heaven, he leaves a legacy of love that we are proud of here on earth.
The family would like to thank you for your many prayers, love, and support at this time. The family would like to thank and acknowledge the wonderful care that he received from the following in his time of need and for the love and compassion they have shown to us as well. NHC rehab Pulaski, NHC home care, physical therapy and wound care of Pulaski, Fresenius Pulaski, SCATS public transportation, Compassus Hospice care, as well as his great team of doctors and specialists.
