Ralph G. Beale

Ralph G. Beale of Enka went home to be with the Lord Sunday, May 11, 2003. He was born October 24, 1918, in Buncombe County and was a loyal son of the late Charles Dalsey Beale and Lucy Felmet Beale. He was a loving husband to his wife Grace for 59 1/2 years and a proud father of son Douglas Beale and deceased daughter Kathy Beale. In addition to his wife and son, those left to cherish his memory are his son’s wife Kathy, grandchildren Dennis Beale and Brandon Beale of Indianapolis, IN, Christin Beale of Orange, CA, Heidi Ostertag of Park City, UT, Brett Beale of Phoenix, AZ, and Aaron LaBatte of Waynesburg, PA; eight great-grandchildren; a brother Edwin Beale of Asheville and a special nephew Ray Anders of Charlotte. Mr. Beale was a member of Acton United Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees and as an usher. Mr. Beale was a 50-year member of Hominy Lodge No. 491, A.F.& A.M. and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He has been a member of the American Legion Post 0002 for 57 years. Mr. Beale owned and operated Beale jewelers in the American Enka Community Building for 41 years. He was a member of the American Watchmakers Institute, Inc., the Land of the Sky Watchmakers Guild, and the Asheville merchants Association. Much of his time was given to community needs. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 36 at Sand Hill and served on the Scouts Advisory Board. Mr. Beale was secretary and treasurer of Sand Hill Mens Club and treasurer of Enka High School Boosters Club. He received an honorary Life Membership from Enka High School Association. He supported many worthwhile causes and never turned any organization away. His wife Grace stated “He always gave more than he could afford and took less than he needed.” Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Wednesday at Acton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Paul Hacklander officiating with Mr. Beale’s son, Douglas, assisting. Burial will be in the church cemetery. His family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service and request that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Acton United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 171 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville, NC 28806. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is in charge of the arrangements.