Ralph Hastings

Known for his gentle way and kind words, Fayetteville's Ralph Hastings died Friday afternoon at his home on Molino Road. He was 86.

He was a longtime educator, former superintendent of Lincoln County schools and a civic leader, serving many community organizations here in the 25 years since his retirement.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at Higgins Funeral Home with the Revs. Allen Black and Ed Templeton officiating.

Born Jan. 22, 1919 in Petersburg, Mr. Hastings was the youngest of five children, now all deceased, born to Carl Albert and Gracie Lucinda Carter Hastings.

He graduated from Morgan School in Petersburg and served in the U.S. Army from February 1942 to March 1946 and returned in February 1948 to escort 53 World War II soldiers to be buried throughout the southeastern states. He was discharged in May of 1949 and began his studies at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

He graduated there in 1952 and began his teaching career at Blanche High School where he taught vocational agriculture. In 1956, he moved to Central High School in Fayetteville where he taught vocational agriculture until moving to the central office of Lincoln County Schools System in 1972. He was elected superintendent of schools in 1976 and retired in September of 1980.

Mr. Hastings supervised the consolidation of the county high schools when Lincoln County High School was established in 1979.

He received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and his master's degree from Middle Tennessee State University and Honorary American Farmer Degree from the Future Farmers of America.

Mr. Hastings served as president of the Vocational Agriculture Teachers of Tennessee, director of the Lincoln County Farm Bureau, chairman of the Lincoln County Soil Conservation Service (NRCS), member of the board of directors of Fayetteville/Lincoln County Library, member of the board of directors of Fayetteville/ Lincoln County Museum, advisor for Young Farmers and Ranchers and commander of American Legion Post 42.

Published in the Elk County (TN) Times on 3 May 2005.