OldPappy - Posted - 04/12/2023:  14:10:48

Catherine Rowe, Michal Brooks and me went out to check on Ralph Roberts yesterday and found out that Charlee had passed away early that morning. She had been in the nursing home for the last few weeks

Ralph is still staying at his house, with friends, and neighbors looking in on him regularly as well as a nurse who comes out 5 days a week to spend most of the day tending to him.

He is confined to a wheelchair, but his mind is clear and he enjoyed talking with us and listening to some music.

GSCarson - Posted - 04/12/2023:  17:20:23

I am sorry to hear this, and sad for Ralph, they were the kind of genuine old time folks who in my opinion made old time music and festivals like Clifftop real. Thanks for making the time to visit with them, you have have my condolences.

DHutchens - Posted - 04/12/2023:  17:40:04

So So Sad, The are in my thoughts and prayers....

Don Borchelt - Posted - 04/12/2023:  18:32:29

quote:

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Originally posted by OldPappy

Catherine Rowe, Michal Brooks and me went out to check on Ralph Roberts yesterday and found out that Charlee had passed away early that morning. She had been in the nursing home for the last few weeks



Ralph is still staying at his house, with friends, and neighbors looking in on him regularly as well as a nurse who comes out 5 days a week to spend most of the day tending to him.



He is confined to a wheelchair, but his mind is clear and he enjoyed talking with us and listening to some music.

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Herb Broadbent called me with the news last night.  She was blessed in that she went quickly.  I visited them back in the summer of 2021, and to this city boy it seemed that they had an idyllic life in their log house on the mountain.  She was a generous host, and even made me the squirrel and gravy I asked for.  She looked out for Ralph, every waking moment.  I hold in great honor and respect all of the friends and neighbors who are helping out now so that Ralph can stay in his home. I don't think he could live in peace anywhere else.  Just wonderful people.

OldPappy - Posted - 04/12/2023:  18:49:51

Of the trio in that last picture Ralph was by far the oldest, he is now 94 I think Charlee was 84, and Dwight was 76.

Ralph is the toughest old man I ever met. He was 83 when I met him and up until he fell and broke his leg if you went to see them in the Summer, that woodshed would be stacked to the rafters with firewood he had cut and split himself. Most men half that age could not have done the work for that.

Now two of this trio have left us within a couple of months. It is important to think about the old people in our lives, and spend what time you can with them.

OldPappy - Posted - 04/12/2023:  19:01:57

Here is my favorite picture of Ralph, which was taken 8 or 9 years ago. While Dwight and me were visiting a few months before, Charlee had wispered to Dwight that she wished she could afford to buy Ralph a better banjo. So, the next time we went we got Ralph to try out a few and he liked this one. I told him it was his, and his face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. As he got older we figured he would do better with a shorter scale, and that is the banjo he is playing in the picture you posted from Clifftop.

The other picture is another member of the group who came home with me today to Tennessee to retire in the Sunny South.

He knows more about Dwight and Ralph's music than anyone, too bad he can't talk.

Edited by - OldPappy on 04/12/2023 19:03:34

carlb - Posted - 04/13/2023:  05:53:13

Another sad loss in world. Prayers for Ralph now that Charlie's gone.