Ralph Edwards Capps

Ralph Edwards Capps passed away peacefully on November 17, 2023, at home surrounded by

his loving family. He was born January 2, 1945, at Watts Hospital in Durham, NC to parents

James Reginald Capps and Martha Edwards Capps.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Sharon Moore Capps, daughter Melissa Sharon Capps, of Raleigh;

sons James Robert Capps and wife Cindy Hawke Capps, of Oak Island, Benjamin Ralph Capps

and wife, Heather Maness Capps of Raleigh; grandchildren Samuel Robert and wife Lydia

Beeson Capps, Luke Christopher Ashley and Hope Merritt Switzer, Brian Thomas Capps,

Lauren Ashley Rouse and husband James Lee Rouse, Micah Benjamin Capps, Noah Edwards

Capps, and Emma Jean Capps; plus great grandchildren Sailor Grace and Harbor Marie Capps,

and Walker James Rouse; brother John Reginald Capps of Henderson, nieces and nephews, plus

numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Caddie Ambrose Capps, and sister-in-law

Nancy Cartwright Capps.

Ralph was deeply devoted to his family. Nothing brought smiles to his face like family

gatherings. His nickname was “Pap”. He treasured every minute he spent with each one.

Ralph served for 50+ years as the Executive Director and later President & CEO of the Boys

Club and later the Boys & Girls Clubs in Wake County. He spent his fifty-year career leading,

guiding, and mentoring young people, staff and board members at the Boys and Girls Clubs of

Wake County. He grew the membership from a few hundred boys at one club to thousands of

boys and girls at eight clubs. He was a role model of consistency coupled with an infectious can-

do attitude. He had zero tolerance for anything less than his or your best. Thus, he inspired

everyone to exceed the expected in favor of the possible. He forever positively changed the lives

of all who were fortunate enough to come under his influence. Specifically, he steadfastly

executed the mission of enabling young people to reach their full potential as productive,

responsible, and caring citizens. His efforts have changed our communities for the better.

Among the many honors bestowed on Ralph was the Legacy & Leaders Award, and the Thomas

G. Garth Award which is the highest National honor bestowed on Boys & Girls Club

professionals. He was deeply honored with the naming of the Teen Center on Raleigh Blvd as

the Ralph E. Capps Teen Center in 2014. In 2016 Ralph was inducted into the Raleigh Hall of

Fame, and in 2023 he was awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine by North Carolina Governor

Roy Cooper.

Ralph was a devoted member of Temple Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC. where he humbly served

for more than 50 years as leader, teacher, Deacon, and Trustee.

A Celebration of Ralph’s life will be on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Temple Baptist

Church, 1417 Clifton Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 at 1:00 p.m.; visitation prior beginning at 11:30

am.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ralph’s memory to the Wake County Boys &

Girls Clubs, 721 N. Raleigh Boulevard, Raleigh, NC 27610; or Transitions LifeCare, 250

Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or transitionslifecare.org.

Services provided by Bryan-Lee Raleigh Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC

27604.