House Resolution 1666
By: Representatives Wade of the 9th and Hawkins of the 27th
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Mr. John W. Ralston and dedicating an intersection in his memory; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Mr. John W. Ralston was born July 4, 1891, a beloved son of John W. Ralston,
Sr., and Lavada Stone Ralston; and
WHEREAS, after his family moved to Lumpkin County, Georgia, in 1913, Mr. Ralston went
on to become one of Lumpkin County's most influential community leaders particularly in
the Mill Creek community; and
WHEREAS, affectionately known as "Big John Ralston," Mr. Ralston and his father "Wash
Ralston" shared the same birthday and many friends and family would annually gather for
birthday celebrations at the family property that has now been in the Ralston family for over
100 years; and
WHEREAS, he was a member of Mill Creek Baptist Church and served his community as
a school bus driver for over 20 years, a justice of the peace, a poll worker, and a member of
Georgia Freemasonry and the Etowah Masonic Lodge; and
WHEREAS, in 1922, Mr. Ralston donated a portion of his property for the construction of
Highway State Route 9; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished
Georgian be appropriately recognized by dedicating an intersection in his memory.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED BY THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the intersection of State Route 9 and Castleberry Bridge
Road in Lumpkin County is dedicated as the John W. Ralston Memorial Intersection.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and
directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the John W. Ralston Memorial
Intersection.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Mr. John W. Ralston and to the Department of Transportation.