Debra Katherine Ragle

December 13, 1949 — April 9, 2026

Debra Katherine Ragle, born December 13, 1949, in Wynne, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, April 9th. Guided by a profound spirit of love and God’s Grace, Debra found her true calling in the service of others. Called Kay by so many, she was a follower of Christ and was an example of his love. As a Certified Oncology Nurse, she touched countless lives with specialized knowledge and deep compassion, offering a spirit of grace and resilience to every patient and family she guided through oncology and hospice care.

Debra was a woman of vibrant passions. A Master Gardener, she found peace in the soil and joy in sharing her love of horticulture. She was known for her spirited approach to landscaping, often finding great satisfaction in starting a good fire to clear the way for new growth. Her love for the arts was equally undeniable; she possessed a vast knowledge of cinema across all genres and decades, and a deep-seated passion for music. Whether it was Sting, The Beatles, or Johnny Cash, she shared her favorite sounds with anyone who would listen—especially her sister, Connie Lou, and her three sons-in-law. Whether tending to her plants or enjoying the quiet of her cabin in the woods in Caneyville, Kentucky she was always most at home in nature.

With an immense heart, Debra spent her younger years rearing her children and welcoming anyone who landed on her doorstep into the family fold. Her home was a sanctuary of warmth, often filled with the aroma of her famous fudge, cornflake treats, and a legendary cooking style that defied recipes—specializing in the best biscuits and sausage or chocolate gravy to be found. She lived by the simple truth that there was nothing a glass of iced tea with lemon or a trip to Sonic couldn’t fix.

Family & Legacy

Preceded in Death Debra was reunited in death with her parents, Donald and Audrey Lephine (William) Ragle; her brothers, Roger Thomas Ragle (survived by wife Carolyn) and Ronnie Howard Ragle (survived by wife Sandra McNatt); her sister, Donna Marie Ihnen; her late husband, Richard Alva Graddy; and her two beloved sons, Richard Charles Graddy and Richard Donald Graddy.

Survivors She leaves behind three kind, compassionate and beautiful daughters into whom she poured her heart and soul: Molly Katherine Rogers (husband Kelly), Scarlet Alva Graddy-McGlasson (husband Matthew), and Rachel Annagene Harris (husband Thomas Todd). Debra absolutely adored her sons-in-law and considered them her own. She is also survived by her cherished "baby sister," Connie Lou Ragle (husband Larry Haag).

Her spirit lives on through her grandchildren: Cody James Rogers (wife Amber), Sunny Katherine Rogers; Christian Tanner Steff (wife Haleigh), Garrett Graddy McGlasson, Jessica Renee McGlasson; Jackson Raymer Harris (wife Ivorie), Spencer Thomas Harris, and Lincoln Todd Harris. She was the proud great-grandmother of Kora Leigh Steff and was looking forward, with great excitement, to meeting her new great-grandson, Everett James Rogers, in June.

Debra is also survived by her former husband, Russell Gene Raymer, her brother-in-law, Ronald Ihnen, and dozens of nieces and nephews whom she held dear.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Debra’s honor to Hospice House of Southern Kentucky. This gesture continues her lifelong mission of providing comfort, dignity, and care to those in need.

https://hospicesoky.org/in-memory-of/ 

She will be greatly missed, but the memories made with her loved ones will last forever.