Charles Emerson Ragland age 92 recently of Hopkins died January 23 2010 at the Brian Center St. Andrews in Columbia. Mr. Ragland son of the late Rev. Samuel Emerson and Lillian Harlow Ragland was a native of Bowling Green KY. He graduated from Western Kentucky State Teachers College in 1937 and from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1942. He served as a Signal Corps officer in North Africa and Sicily during World War II and at other postings in the United States Puerto Rico and Jamaica before returning to civilian life. While on leave visiting relatives in Newberry in 1944 Charles met his future wife Jane Harriet Summer daughter of John H. and Mamie Swittenberg Summer. They were married a few months later. He was employed by radio station WKDK the S.C. and U.S. Forestry Commissions Carolina Electronics Remington Rand Univac and the Shakespeare plant of Anthony Enterprises and Glassmaster prior to retirement. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Newberry where he sang in the choir. Mr. Ragland is survived by children Charles Jr. of Selinsgrove PA John Harrison and Mary Helen Ragland of Piedmont Kathryn R. and J. Allen Gilbert of Hopkins Christopher and Julie Ragland of Fountain Inn grandchildren Will Ragland Rebecca Ragland Marianne Gilbert Nicolau David Gilbert Harrison Gilbert Benjamin Ragland Susannah Ragland and Christian Ragland; and one great-grandson Parker L. Nicolau. A brother William C. Ragland of Pittsboro NC and a sister Lillian R. Caudill of Louisville KY also survive. Charles' wife Jane passed away in 2008.Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M Saturday at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer by the Rev. Caldwell Day. Interment was in Rosemont Cemetery.Visitation was from 6 to 8 PM Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.The family suggests memorials be made to the Worship and Music Committee Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 1515 Boundary St. Newberry SC 29108 or to the Newberry Regional Library 1300 Friend St. Newberry SC 29108.Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.comWhitaker Funeral Home Newberry is assisting the family