Mary Lois Ragland died Saturday, June 16, 2012, at River Region Medical Center. She was 74.

Born in Vicksburg, she was the daughter of the late William Talmadge Sheffield and Myrtle Odile Wilks Sheffield. Mrs. Ragland was a graduate of Carr Central High School and was a National Certified Genealogist. She was a life member of the Vicksburg and Warren County Historical Society where she served in many offices. Mrs. Ragland was a founding member and past president of the Vicksburg Genealogical Society. She was the first editor of Mississippi River Routes, the official publication of the Genealogical Society and many other books and publications. She was a member of the Colonial Dames, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Confederacy No. 77 having served in offices of all the organizations. Mrs. Ragland was a member of the Vicksburg Church of Christ.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathy Ragland Gilbert.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Fred Kenneth Ragland; a daughter, Donna Ragland of Vicksburg; a sister, Kay S. Henderson of Oaklands, Tenn.; a brother, Billy Sheffield of Vicksburg; three grandchildren, Adam Frost, Nikki Frost and Jeff Taylor; two great-grandchildren, Noah Taylor and Trace Arthur; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Riles Funeral Home with Reggie Crawford officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. Tuesday until the service.

Pallbearers will be Tal Sheffield, Jeff Taylor, Adam Frost, Gerald Harmon, Billy Helmuth and Carl Ratliff.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gordon Cotton, Tony Dardeau and Sonny Rule.

Memorials may be made to the Vicksburg and Warren County Historical Society, Old Court House Museum, 1008 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183 and to the Vicksburg Genealogical Society, Post Office Box 1161, Vicksburg, MS 39181.