Pastor Ralph Shirley
Ralph Shirley was born on January 16th in Chicago, IL as the youngest son to Alma Jean Shirley and Alfred Camphor Shirley. Ralph attended Wadsworth Elementary School, where he graduated to later attend Hyde Park Career Academy.
Ralph was known for his bright and charismatic personality. He had an amazing sense of humor and possessed a life-long love for singing. Ralph was brilliant and was considered a go-getter. His first job was as a warehouse worker at DonTech. Through hard work and dedication, he quickly moved up to warehouse supervisor. After working at DonTech for two decades, he moved on to RTC Industries where this same hard work and dedication saw him blessed with the opportunity to be warehouse manager of the entire facility.
While Ralph was fulfilling his career goals, he met the love of his life Janice Northcutt. Even though their first time hanging out was meant to be as friends going to a concert, they both knew there was something more. Their family unit quickly expanded to four with Marques their oldest son and Tanisha their daughter being added to the picture. Their family unit expanded again with the addition of their niece and nephew LaShaunna and Trayvonn, who quickly assumed a place in their hearts as their youngest children.
Throughout this time of building a family, Ralph yearned for a deeper relationship with Christ. He had the pleasure of meeting a group of men that he formed a gospel group with called “Special Guest”. These men introduced him to the late Rev. Franklin R. Holcombe, the pastor of Original Wings of Faith M.B. Church. This meeting was monumental because it laid the foundation for Ralph’s journey to get closer to Christ. Ralph joined Original Wings of Faith M.B Church in 1998 as a member of its congregation. Pastor Holcombe, however, saw more in Ralph’s future. He pushed Ralph to take on more church responsibilities. Ralph’s journey led him to be a deacon, a minister, and ultimately Pastor of this very church in 2012.
Ralph’s walk with Christ was of the utmost importance to him. He didn’t hide how he felt about Jesus Christ, and he made sure to let every person he encountered know that Christ loved them. Ralph was known to be there for anyone who was in need. He never wanted any soul to be lost. His dedication could be seen even when he lost his sight and went through sickness. Ralph made sure to preach the message of Jesus Christ our Savior every week. He didn’t allow anything to keep him out of God’s house.
Ralph led a life that was truly pleasing to God. Ralph passed peacefully on February 15th. He was preceded in death by his mother Alma Shirley, father Alfred Shirley, and his brother Harold Shirley. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife Janice Northcutt-Shirley; his children Marques Northcutt, Tanisha Gordon (Romaine Gordon), LaShaunna Shirley, Trayvonn Shirley; his siblings Alfred Shirley, Anthony Shirley, Valerie Shirley (Mujahid Nathim), Lorrie Shirley; his granddaughter Naomi Gordon; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Memorial visitation Saturday, February 24, 2024 1:00 p.m. until time of a Celebration of Life Service at 3:30 p.m. For Funeral info (708) 422-2700, or www.curleyfuneralhome.com.
February 24, 2024 – 3:30pm cst
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