Jeannie Lea

Ralston

Jeannie Lea Ralston passed away in Houston, Texas on December 29, 2025, to walk the streets of Heaven.

Jeannie was born on April 10, 1929, in rural Sarcoxie, Missouri, and grew up in that area. She was a devoted Christian and attended the Church of Christ.

After graduating from Granby High School, she moved to Carthage, Missouri, where she met and married, in her words, "the love of her life" Clinton Ralston, husband of fifty-six years. Clinton passed on December 17, 2004, and she often stated, "how I miss that man".

Over the years, Jeannie worked as a key punch operator, a real estate agent and developed a reputation as an expert seamstress. Clinton was a career long-haul truck driver and took an interest in restoring cars and could do anything he put his mind to.

Clinton enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951, and Jeannie followed him from Georgia to Texas and California where she lived with relatives during his overseas duty in Okinawa, during the Korean War.

Following Clintons release from the Air Force, they lived in Diamond, Carthage, and Neosho, Missouri area. They adopted two children: Michael, 1956 and Debra 1958. Mike tragically died in an automobile accident in 1976.

Later moving to Diamond, Jeannie lovingly care for her aging parents until they passed in 1982. While stationed in Texas during Clinton's military service, they fell in love with south Texas area and retired there. They purchased a motor home and traveled across the United States, eventually settling in Aransas Pass, Texas, where they fished and enjoyed the beach and the south Texas sun. Jeannie's home décor testified to that with Lighthouses and seashore pictures. Ther were both very active in the Aransas Pass Church of Christ and still have many close friends there.

Jeannie used her seamstress skills to serve the winter Texans, church friends and later many at the Gardens until her hands limited her.

She is survived by her daughter, Debra Wert of Marshall, Missouri; sister, Karen Vannaman and husband, Newt, of Houston, Texas and sister-in-law, Pat Thurman of Diamond; numerous Thurman and Ralston nieces and nephews as well as many friends.

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Nellie Thurman; husband, Clinton Ralston; son, Michael Ralston and brother Neal Thurman.

Jeannie was blessed with a warm, friendly personality which accounted for her many friends and was an awesome wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. She leaves behind many who love her and whom she blessed in Missouri, South Texas and both staff and other residents at her final home. The Gardens of Bellaire in Houston, Texas.

Jeannie was laid to rest next to her husband, Clinton on January 16, 2026, at Dudman Springs Cemetery in Carthage, Missouri.

A celebration of life for Jeannie will be held at 10:30 a.m. March 19, 2026, at Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Samaritan's Purse in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.housh-goodwinfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri.