Carole Burkhead Parsons Ralston, age 84, of Buckhannon, WV, died Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Sunrise Assisted Living of Falls Church, VA. She was born September 22, 1941, in Quinter, Kansas, the daughter of the late Clyde Burkhead and Hattie McQueen Burkhead. On July 12, 1986, she married Richard Ralston II, who preceded her in death.
Surviving are six children: Kristina Hopkins and partner Kevin Campbell of Charlotte, NC; Kari Gaudet and husband Stuart of Falls Church, VA; Kirk Parsons and wife Paula of Marriottsville, MD; Kyle Parsons and wife Lisa of Timonium, MD; Richard H. Ralston III and wife Janice of Canonsburg, PA; and Michelle Ralston Denny and husband Kurwin of Winston-Salem, NC; grandchildren: Trey Parsons and wife Mia of Elkridge, MD; Katie Hopkins of Metairie, LA; Kinsey Hopkins-Campbell of New Orleans, LA; Hannah Gaudet of Somerville, MA; Piper Gaudet of Charlottesville, VA; Giulia Parsons of Phoenix, AZ; Sophia Parsons of Timonium; Julian McDaniel of St. Louis, MO; Carly Ralston of New York, NY; Halie Ralston of Bethlehem, PA; and Will Rheinheimer and Allison and Brandon Denny, all of Winston-Salem; one great-granddaughter, Zoey Parsons of Elkridge; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and spouse, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Dean Burkhead of Lawrence, KS, Delmar Burkhead of Gilbert, AZ, and Donnie Burkhead of Logan, UT, and one grandson, Grant Hopkins of Charlotte.
Ms. Ralston was a dedicated member of the Buckhannon community and always had a warm smile and hugs for those she met. She taught for 28 years at Buckhannon-Upshur High School, influencing generations with her kindness and wisdom.
Among her many honors, in 1980 she was awarded the State Home Economics Teacher of the Year and competed for National Home Economics Teacher of the Year, winning one of four merit awards. Seeing a need to keep pregnant teens in school, she worked with community partners to implement the first teen parent program in West Virginia at the high school. Her program won the Governor’s Outstanding Secondary School Award and the Adolescent Parenting and Pregnancy Award from the State Task Force.
Her goal was to make Buckhannon a better place to live, so her community involvement was carefully and thoughtfully chosen. She volunteered with many organizations, including PEO, Habitat for Humanity, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Junior Women’s Club, Upshur County Arts Alliance Board, and United Way. She was very involved in Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, sharing her beautiful soprano voice with the church choir as well as the Buckhannon Choral Society.
In honoring her wishes, Ms. Ralston will be cremated. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Chapel Hill UMC. There will be a reception following the services in Engle Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the PEO Chapter A Scholarship Fund at 216 Spruce Fork Rd., Buckhannon, WV 26201, or Buckhannon River Habitat for Humanity at 56 S. Kanawha St., Ste. 201, Buckhannon, WV 26201.
