Ralph E. Brasher

Bessemer Fire & Rescue
East Jefferson Fire Department



BRASHER, RALPH EVANS, JR., 55, of Irondale, AL, died on October 3, 2008, in Birmingham, AL. For 7 years Ralph battled heart disease and lung cancer eventually weakening defenses until he was unable to overcome the effects of pneumonia which he fought this past month.

Ralph was well known in the Irondale, Trussville, and Leeds areas. Ralph was a meat cutter at Food World while in high school, a factory representative for Burlington Industry's furniture division, and owned Willoughby Furniture Company in Fairfield. Ralph and two friends began East Jefferson Fire Department which serviced the local community for 15+ years. Eventually he became its Fire Chief and then a member of the Board of Directors.

Ralph also worked for Bessemer Fire Department before becoming a General Contractor specializing in excavation.

Ralph's most significant accomplishment was his determination, after he quit, to help heavy smokers stop smoking. 25 heavy smokers have quit and will hopefully avoid this dreaded disease and its many complications.



Ralph is survived by his wife, Mary, of 29 years; their son, Ralph Evans Brasher, III, "Chip", and their daughter, Jamie Nicole; his brother, John Brasher, of Pacolet, SC; his sister, Sherry Powell, from Trussville, AL; his nephews: Randall Erwin, Trussville, AL; Russell Erwin, Las Cruces, NM; John Brasher, Jr. Boling Spring, SC; and his nieces: Farah Meade, Pacolet, SC; Katelin and Julianne Wagoner; Ellicott City, MD and Christianna Sperty, Boca Raton, FL.

The viewing will be Monday, October 6, 2008 at Ridout's Trussville Chapel. Family viewing at 5:00 p.m.; friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.

The funeral will be at Taylor Memorial Church, 2501 Sweeney Hollow Road, Birmingham, AL 35215, on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m., Brother Neil Culberson will officiate.



In lieu of flowers, the family feels Ralph would be honored with a donation to organizations dealing with individuals who have contracted diseases as a result of smoking: The American Cancer Society, American Lung Society or the American Heart Association.

God rest his soul and comfort his family and friends. He will be missed.