Ralph Lipsey First Tabernacle Baptist Church was filled to capacity on Saturday, August 22, as family members, friends and a host of distinguished community leaders celebrated the life and legacy of Ralph Lipsey, Jr.

Lipsey, 81 entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 10, 1928, to the late Ralph Sr. and Veatta Daughtry Lipsey.

Ralph, Jr., affectionately known to many as “Buddy,” was a native of Rocky Ford, Georgia. He became the family patriarch to seven siblings after the death of his parents. On January 21, 1949, Lipsey married his childhood sweetheart, Dessie Lee Jackson and shortly thereafter relocated to Savannah, which became his permanent residence. They became the proud and devoted parents of five children.

In 1968, Lipsey opened Lipsey Motors Inc., becoming the first Black licensed used automobile dealer in the State of Georgia. He served his community with pride and respect as a local business owner selling “new and used but not abused” vehicles for more than 20 years. After closing Lipsey Motors, Inc., he was employed with Dan Vaden and later Grainger Motors. Having completed nearly 60 years in the automobile profession, he retired from Grainger Motors with the distinguished honor of “Grainger's Goodwill Ambassador” in 2008.

Lipsey was a devoted member of the First Tabernacle Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Usher, member of the Finance Committee, and an active member in the Sunday School. His legacy will be remembered most by the individuals he recruited into the Army of the Lord. His passion and love for Christ directed and ordered his daily steps. His testimony has been the foundation for which he built a strong and loving family.

The large crowd of well wishers attending his “Celebration of Life” was evidence that he was loved throughout the community.

Left to cherish his fondest memories are his loving and devoted wife of sixty years, Dessie Lee; son, Ralph Lipsey III; four daughters, Marilyn Lipsey (John) Felder, Leetta Lipsey (Bruce) Simmons, Terri Lipsey (Clarence) Scott, and Bernita Faye Lipsey; a brother Arthur Lipsey; two sisters, Betty Lipsey DeLoach and Annie Mae Lipsey (Richard) Jones; aunts, Joan Thomas and Laura Langley; sisters inlaw, Danzie Lee Lewis and Beatrice Lipsey; grandchildren, Elizabeth Lipsey Hamilton, Ashley Nicole Scott, Clarence Alexander Scott, IV, Syolvia Alls, Tony Simmons and Walter B. Simmons III; and one great grandchild, Zachary Emanuel Green; two special nieces, Phyllis Jenks, Donna Lipsey Green and a host of nieces and nephews; and a multitude of other relatives and friends.