Matthew Tully Ragland, 33, of Huntsville, died May 12, 2015. He was born September 11, 1981 in Huntsville, AL. Matthew attended Huntsville schools and graduated from Huntsville High School in 2000, where he earned a reputation as an outstanding athlete. Fueled by his passion for football, he played wide receiver at The University of West Alabama, and went on to letter for the Crimson Tide under Coach Mike Shula. Matthew graduated from the University of Alabama in 2005 with a B.S. in Commerce & Business Administration and began a successful career in surgical device sales, where he earned numerous achievement awards.
Matthew was preceded in death by his grandmother, Martha O. Uffelman. Survivors include his mother, Amelia Uffelman Ragland; father, John Tully Ragland; sister, Sarah Elizabeth Ragland; grandparents, Ed and Sue Ragland; aunts and uncles, Becky and Jimmy Sparks, Edward and Laura Ragland, David and Beth Ragland, and Tom and Jenny Ragland; and cousins, Brad Sparks, Anna and Matt Kachelman, Allyson Ragland, Rowe Ragland, Mary Margaret Ragland, Ila Kachelman, and Lucy Kachelman.
Matt was loved by many. Known for his kind and generous nature, personal integrity and gracious demeanor, he enjoyed long and lasting relationships with a diverse group of friends. Devoted to family, he recently shared with friends this quote about his sister Sarah: “She is everything. God is LOVE.” His lifestyle passions included Alabama football, snow skiing, turkey hunting with Dad John in Paint Rock Valley, backcountry hiking, his girlfriend, Tizzy Howard, his dog Miles, and taking time to help others in need. As one friend shared, “Matt helped others in secret. We often discovered his fingerprints on something later but never because he talked about it.” Along with Tizzy, he was active in Church of The Highlands in Birmingham, AL and was inspired by the words of Pastor Chris Hodges. Matt’s exemplary life touched many, and those who knew him will carry his enduring legacy in their hearts for a lifetime.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The Church of the Nativity, with the service immediately following. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. (www.laughlinservice.com)
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boston University (BU) CTE Center, checks payable to Trustees of Boston University (memo “In Memory of Matt Ragland”). Mail to : Office of Development, 72 East Concord Street, L-219, Boston, MA 02118.
