Ralph Webster Bearden

Ralph Webster Bearden, Sr., 86, of Vincent, Alabama passed away January 24, 2023, at his home. Ralph was born April 27, 1936, to loving parents Joel Elwyn, Sr and Irene Lanning Bearden in Helena, Alabama. Ralph was a life-long dairyman in Shelby County, having moved to Shel-Clair Farm in 1974.  He is a founding member and longtime elder of Logan Martin Church of Christ in Cropwell.  An accomplished musician, mostly self-taught through the years, he never met an instrument he could not play, among those being the accordion, dobro and piano.  In his retirement years, he and Monta Faye spent years travelling the country in their RV often being found playing the accordion in the campground. During the Christmas season, he enjoyed visiting schools and local shopping areas dressed as Santa Claus accompanied by Mrs. Claus (Monta Faye) playing Christmas music for all to enjoy.  

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Monta Faye Bearden, daughter, Phyllis Annette, his granddaughter, Olivia Bearden, parents, Joel Elwyn and Irene Bearden, brothers Joel and Leonard, and sister, Kathleen Perkins.

He is survived by his sons, Randy Bearden and Wayne (Tami) Bearden of Vincent, AL; daughters, Cindy (Jeff) Carroll of Helena and Ramona (Mark) Martin of Vincent, AL; grandchildren, Destinee (Tracey) Patterson, Jessica (Brent) Laurenz, Aaron Bearden, Elyse (Wes) Bristow, Paden Bearden, Caitlin (Jonathan) Kappler, Leah Selfridge, Rebekah (Trent) Yancey, Daniel Bearden, Spencer Carroll, Seth Martin, Hannah (Dow) Birchfield and Rachel (Rett) Russell; great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Gracelyn Bristow, Jackson and C.J. Laurenz, Mason and Sawyer Patterson, Liam Bearden, Asher and Luka Selfridge, Winnie Faye Russell and baby girl Kappler; sisters Frances Lewis and Shirley (Don) Genry; brother-in-law Phillip W. (Ann) Brown and beloved kitty, Tiger.

Funeral will be January 27, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home of 2701 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover with Mark Martin officiating.  Visitation to start 1 hour prior to funeral. Burial to follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Camp Smile-A-Mile.