Carlene Ragan

Carlene Burford Ragan

(March 7, 1942 - May 16, 2025)

Born March 7, 1942, to Robert Lee Burford and Ida Van Burford in Vicksburg Mississippi the youngest of 3 daughters.

The family then moved to Prichard, Alabama, where she graduated from Vigor High School in 1960.

Shortly after graduation, she was accepted and attended the American Airlines Flight Attendant Academy where she worked as a flight attendant until retirement in 2001. She loved her chosen career, being able to travel the world, visiting places such as Paris France, London England, Frankfurt Germany, Tokyo Japan, and Honolulu Hawaii for her regular flight routes.

She had one son, Michael Wahl, from a previous marriage when she married the love of her life Leon Ragan on March 5, 1978, and became stepmom to Leon's three sons from his previous marriage, Jeff Ragan, Scott Ragan, and Greg Ragan.

She then moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she spent her final years being close to family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Lee Burford and Ida Van Burford, as well as her two sisters, Myrtle Van DeCar and Bobbye Visel. She is survived by her husband, Leon Ragan, and her children, Michael Wahl, Greg Ragan, Scott Ragan, and Jeff Ragan.

During her life she cared for so many animals, supporting many causes to contribute to the care of abandoned pets. We ask that instead of sending flowers, please make a donation to her local animal shelter in her name, Hub City Humane Society, 95 Jackson Road, Hattiesburg, MS, 39402.

Carlene also supported St. Judes Childrens Hospital, please consider making a donation in her name through St. Judes website or mail to: ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, in lieu of flowers.

Graveside services and interment will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025 in Mobile Memorial Gardens at 12 noon. The family will meet at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home from 11am until service time.