Ralph Vincent Fell, 102, passed away August 9, 2026, in Little Rock. He was born July 4, 1924, in Bearden, Ark., the sixth child of William and Estella Fell’s seven children.

He was married 67 years to the late Frances Lindsey, also of Bearden. Together they had three children: Linda Brewington (Jerry) of Gallatin, Tenn.; Roger Fell (Kathy) of Findlay, Ohio; and Nancy Shepard (Ken) of Little Rock, Ark.

After serving in combat in Europe during WWII, Ralph earned his bachelor's degree at Southern State College, Magnolia, Ark., his master's from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and his Ph.D. in Poultry Nutrition from LSU. He was head of the Agriculture Department at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, La., then worked twenty years with A.L. Laboratories as Executive Director of Animal Technology, traveling to all 50 states and 45 countries.

Ralph and Frances made life-long friends in Natchitoches at New Testament Baptist Church and later led worship music at Calvary Baptist Church of Pine Bluff. He was known for growing the best sweet corn, tomatoes, okra, and purple hull peas; having horses for his grandchildren’s visits; and happily accommodating requests for his amazing homemade ice cream.

Granddaddy loved to tell jokes and anecdotes, usually erupting in laughter before reaching the punch line. He was extremely proud of his large family of 17 grandchildren: Brandy Powell (Robert), Lindsey Long (Kevin), the late Sgt. Robin Fell, Elliott Fell (Alexa), Lisa Stoltzfus (Zach), William Fell, Julia Rhodes (Austin), Linda Beth Bean (Aaron), Joseph Fell (Ashley), the late Jordan Shepard, Leanna Conley (Paul), Samuel Fell (Ali), Ethan Shepard (Abigail), Jared Shepard (Kendall), Micah Shepard (Preslie), Meleah Stoltzfus (Josiah), and MeKency Dardar (Rylee); and 27 great-grandchildren: Cameron and Tate Powell; Colton and Liberty Case; Katherine, Margaret, and Harvey Fell; Jayden, Logan, Charlotte and Evie Stoltzfus; Josiah, Oliver, Esther, and Lucy Rhodes; Brian and Leanna Grace Bean; Claire Fell; Emery and Everett Fell; Lawrence Shepard; Hudson and Ellis Shepard; Felix and Ozden Shepard; and Elowen and Marlowe Stoltzfus.

He was loved and admired by all who knew him.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Proctor Funeral Home in Camden, Ark. followed by 2:00 pm chapel service. Graveside service will be at Salem Cemetery in Bearden, Ark.