Eudell Ragland

of Omaha, AR

July 2, 1932 - May 1, 2022

Eudell Elland Ragland, age 89, of Omaha, peacefully passed away with family surrounding him Sunday, May 1, 2022, at Cox South in Springfield, Missouri. He was born July 2, 1932, in a two-room house in Nogo, Arkansas by the midwife to Walter C. and Lessie S. Bridges Ragland.

Eudell graduated in 1952 from Valley Springs and attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello receiving degrees in Psychology and Social Studies. Eudell was well known for his basketball skills and highlighted his years of playing at Bellefonte and Valley Springs Schools with his brother Sid Ragland. He won four state championships, Allstate Championship Jr. Boys Team at Bellefonte in 1949, and State Championships 1950-1952 at Valley Springs and could remember the games in great detail. He was inducted into the AIC 1956 Basketball Hall of Fame. He went on to become a legendary coach and loved the boys and girls from Mt. Judea he coached like they were his own. His ball playing and coaching was the most prideful part of his life.

We lost a legend and a timeless artifact. He had a big heart for others and those that needed a chance. In college at Monticello, he was known as "Rags to Riches" showing up with nothing and then breaking records that have still yet to beat. He married Poneta Ruth Ragland in the fall of 1982 in Flippin, and they celebrated 30 years before her death. He will be missed by many. He loved his time with all his friends, family, and ballplayers.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Chris and Marceia Ragland, daughters and sons-in-law Allane and Jim Gass, Nicole Risley and Ronnie Long, grandchildren and their spouses Carol Jo "Scooter" and Paul Talley, Kristy and Mike Pounders, Jennifer and Allen Barrett, Jessica and Aaron Gutting, and Lyric Long and a host of other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, Ann Ragland and Poneta "Ruth" Ragland, his significant other, Brenda Reid, his brothers: infant Walter Junior and Sid Ragland, and his sister Johnnie Earnhart.


Visitation was Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Interment will be in Bellefonte Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mt Judea, Valley Springs, or an athletic department of choice in his honor.

Service Information
Visitation
Roller-Christeson Funeral Home
519 N. Spring Street
Harrison,  AR 72601
5/5/2022 at 5-7:00pm
 
   


Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Christeson Funeral Home
519 North Spring Street
Harrison, AR  72601
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com