Eudell Elland Ragland, age 89, of Omaha, died with family surrounding him Sunday, May 1, 2022, at Cox South in Springfield, Missouri. He was born July 2, 1932, in a two-room house in Nogo, Arkansas by midwife to Walter C. and Lessie S. Bridges Ragland.

He graduated in 1952 from Valley Springs and attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello receiving degrees in Psychology and Social Studies.

He was well known for his basketball skills and highlighted his years of playing at Bellefonte and Valley Springs Schools with his brother Sid Ragland. He won four state championships, Allstate Championship Jr. Boys Team at Bellefonte in 1949, and State Championships 1950-1952 at Valley Springs and could remember the games in great detail. He was inducted into the AIC 1956 Basketball Hall of Fame. He went on to become a legendary coach and loved the boys and girls from Mt. Judea he coached like they were his own. His ball playing and coaching was the most prideful part of his life. We lost a legend and a timeless artifact.

He had a big heart for others and those that needed a chance. In college at Monticello, he was known as “Rags to Riches” showing up with nothing and then breaking records that have still yet to be beat. He married Poneta Ruth Ragland in the fall of 1982 in Flippin, and they celebrated 30 years before her death. He will be missed by many. He loved his time with all his friends, family, and ballplayers.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law Chris and Marceia Ragland; daughters and sons-in-law: Allane and Jim Gass, Nicole Risley and Ronnie Long, grandchildren and their spouses Carol Jo “Scooter” and Paul Talley, Kristy and Mike Pounders, Jennifer and Allen Barrett, Jessica and Aaron Gutting, and Lyric Long and a host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, Ann Ragland and Poneta “Ruth” Ragland, significant other, Brenda Reid, brothers; infant Walter Junior and Sid Ragland, and sister Johnnie Earnhart.

Visitation was 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Interment was in Bellefonte Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mt Judea, Valley Springs, or an athletic department of choice in his honor.

Arrangements are by Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Online Guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/harrison