Obituary of Ralph Mosteller

Ralph Donald Mosteller LEESVILLE-Ralph Donald Mosteller, 80, of Leesville, died Tuesday evening, February 22, 2011 at Agape Senior in West Columbia. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 25, 2011 at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel, with burial following in Southland Memorial Gardens. Born September 13, 1930, in Easley, SC, Ralph was a son of the late Claude Welborn and Lucy Smith Mosteller. He enjoyed a life-long career of over 53 years as a professional truck driver, retiring from Swift Transportation in 2003. He was proud to have received numerous awards including the Million Mile Safe Driver's Award. He will be affectionately remembered for his love of playing the guitar and singing his favorite country and gospel songs, playing the spoons, making his award-winning peanut and pecan brittle, and enjoying every day of his life with his beloved family and friends. He is survived by three daughters, Vicki (Charles) Whitehead of Lexington; Kristi (Mike) Shirer of Cameron; Kathi (Andy) Cook of Gaston; son, Chip (Kendra) Mosteller of Lexington; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Michael (Susannah) Shirer of Charleston; Daniel (Kristi) Whitehead and Nora of Chapel Hill, NC; Bridget (Chuck) Fisher, Ellie and Kaylee of Gaston; Kayne (Kinsey) Shirer and Jackson of Mt. Pleasant; Adam (Kelly) Whitehead and Wyatt of Lexington; David Cook of Gaston; Jacob Cook of West Columbia; Carson and Sofia Mosteller of Lexington; step-granddaughter, Amy (Jamie) Williams, Chandler and Logan of North; sister, Doris M. Cox of Travelers Rest; brother, Thomas Mosteller of West Columbia; special friend, Sylvia McLain of Leesville; and a number of nieces and nephews. His grandsons are honored to serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Grady Lindler, JR McCoy, Gene Ray, Harold Wessinger, Walter Hook, Claude Lucas, Jason Kelly, Johnny Finlayson and all of music buddies. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 24, 2011 at Thompson Funeral Home, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC 29073 and other times at the residence of his daughter, Kathi and Andy Cook, 146 Oak Valley Drive, Gaston, SC 29053. The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Sidney Morrison, Dr. Michael Roberts, Dr. William Harmon and staff at Lexington Medical Center Gilbert, and Agape Hospice, especially Dottie Allen, CNA, for the love, support and care of our loved one. Memorials may be made to Musicians and Songwriters Guild of SC, Musical Instrument Fund for Children with Cancer, 123-C Library Hill Lane, Lexington, SC 29072; Special Olympics of SC, P. O. Box 907, Columbia, SC 29202; Killingsworth Home, 1831 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or a charity of one's choice. Family and friends may sign online guest book at www.thompsonsfuneral.com