Ralph William Carrington Jr., of Cobbs Creek, age 86, peacefully passed away on May 6, 2021 at home. Ralph, also known as “Sonny,” was born March 1935 in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late Ralph William Carrington Sr. and Virginia Alice Carrington Williams. A native of Princess Anne County (later Virginia Beach), Ralph moved to Mathews County in 1992 with his wife, Barbara Jean Swisher. Ralph graduated from Oceana High School, Class of 1953. He had six years of military service, including four years with the Virginia National Guard and two years active duty in the Army stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. He attended William & Mary Technical Institute in Norfolk (now Old Dominion University), earning an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Drafting; however, his real passion was flying. Ralph received his private, commercial, instructor, and Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) licenses. He was an instructor at Piedmont Aviation in Norfolk. Later, he was a civilian pilot for the U.S. Army at TRADOC Fort Monroe in Hampton and retired from the U.S. Civil Service in 1997. Ralph was a member of several volunteer rescue squads in Virginia Beach (Kempsville and Court House), a lifetime member of the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, and a member of Locust Grove United Methodist Church (UMC), having served as Certified Lay Speaker. In addition, he was an active member of the KAIROS prison ministry and the Emmaus Community. He served as Lay Supply Pastor for Rehoboth UMC in Kilmarnock from August 2008 through June 2012. Ralph’s father and mother; his stepfather, George Brooks Williams; brothers, Ray and Jerry Williams, and sister, Rita Williams Merchant, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; two sons, Neil Carrington and Wesley Carrington and wife, Janice Fair; three grandchildren, Dylan, Matthew, and Caitlin Carrington-Fair; one sister, Linda Williams Eggleston and husband Steve; brother, Larry Williams, wife Judy, and sister-in-law, Nancy Williams.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at Locust Grove United Methodist Church, Dutton, conducted by the Rev. Booker Brown and the Rev. Kerry Boggs. Following current COVID-19 measures, masks are required, and social distancing will be mandatory. Inurnment will be private. The family wishes to thank the many individuals and institutions that have assisted us over the past year; Dr. Christian Wathen; Riverside Walter Reed Hospice, Dr. West, Brenda, Angela, June, Gina, Samantha and their entire team, and our church family at Locust Grove United Methodist Church. Memorial donations may be made to the church (1832 Windsor Road, Dutton, Va. 23050); or Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad (P.O. Box 723, Mathews, Va. 23109) or the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department (P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, Va. 23109).

Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.