Anna and W. Trent Ragland, Jr.
In 1959 Mr. Ragland established the W. Trent Ragland, Jr. Foundation. He and his wife, Anna, quietly and effectively made generous contributions for over 55 years to many charitable and educational organizations and institutions in North Carolina and in the southeastern U.S. These included many involved in higher education, youth services, historic preservation, environmental protection, shelter and care of homeless, music, arts and culture. His generous gift of land made it possible for Raleigh to build a new Boys and Girls Club in 1977.
An active man of wide-ranging interests and a voracious reader, Mr. Ragland combined a far-ranging and successful business career with a remarkable record of public service and personal philanthropy. This one-time newspaper carrier boy who grew up in modest circumstances became a quiet-spoken business executive who moved easily among people and groups in all walks of life. His life reflected one who generously shared his time, talents and resources with others.
His many activities in public service involved more than 20 non-profit organizations and state government agencies. They include Chairman, The Independent College Fund of North Carolina (elected Honorary Life Member); Chairman, Peace College Board of Trustees (elected Honorary Life Member and received from Peace an Honorary Doctorate); Vice Chairman, Carolina Challenge and Board of Visitors, UNC Chapel Hill; and member, NC Board of Conservation & Development.
Other positions were trustee, Rex Hospital, Raleigh; board member, Kate B. Reynolds Health Care Trust; board member, Atlantic & East Carolina Railroad and North Carolina Railroad; Vice President, Better Transportation for North Carolina; executive committee, United Way of Wake County; and President, Friends of the College Concert Association, NC State University. Additionally, he was a member of the North Caroliniana Society and a recipient of their award in 2004. He was honored by the News and Observer in 1963 as Tar Heel of the Week. In 1977 he served as President of the N.C Citizens Association, now known as N.C. Citizens for Business and Industry. In 2012 he was awarded the P.G. Fox Compassionate Care Award from the P.G. Fox Society and Duke Raleigh Hospital.
An active man of wide-ranging interests and a voracious reader, Mr. Ragland combined a far-ranging and successful business career with a remarkable record of public service and personal philanthropy. This one-time newspaper carrier boy who grew up in modest circumstances became a quiet-spoken business executive who moved easily among people and groups in all walks of life. His life reflected one who generously shared his time, talents and resources with others.
His many activities in public service involved more than 20 non-profit organizations and state government agencies. They include Chairman, The Independent College Fund of North Carolina (elected Honorary Life Member); Chairman, Peace College Board of Trustees (elected Honorary Life Member and received from Peace an Honorary Doctorate); Vice Chairman, Carolina Challenge and Board of Visitors, UNC Chapel Hill; and member, NC Board of Conservation & Development.
Other positions were trustee, Rex Hospital, Raleigh; board member, Kate B. Reynolds Health Care Trust; board member, Atlantic & East Carolina Railroad and North Carolina Railroad; Vice President, Better Transportation for North Carolina; executive committee, United Way of Wake County; and President, Friends of the College Concert Association, NC State University. Additionally, he was a member of the North Caroliniana Society and a recipient of their award in 2004. He was honored by the News and Observer in 1963 as Tar Heel of the Week. In 1977 he served as President of the N.C Citizens Association, now known as N.C. Citizens for Business and Industry. In 2012 he was awarded the P.G. Fox Compassionate Care Award from the P.G. Fox Society and Duke Raleigh Hospital.
Trent and Anna Ragland celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2014. As Trent often said, Anna was always there, supporting and encouraging him, coordinating the family life, guiding and inspiring the children, and doing what needed to be done for her husband and family. Whether doing routine work at home, or entertaining CEOs or other leaders of major corporations, Anna Ragland was a trusted and invaluable partner to her husband, and contributed greatly to his distinguished business career at Superior Stone Company and with the successor companies.
Mr. Ragland established an Anna Wood Ragland Library Fund at UNC-Chapel Hill to honor his wife. Proceeds of the fund support the North Carolina Collection at the Wilson Library where the renowned Hayes Library is now located. The Hayes Library was originally at the home of Anna Wood’s family in Edenton.
The Raglands had three children: Anna Hayes, Alice Ragland, and W. Trent Ragland, III.
Mr. Ragland established an Anna Wood Ragland Library Fund at UNC-Chapel Hill to honor his wife. Proceeds of the fund support the North Carolina Collection at the Wilson Library where the renowned Hayes Library is now located. The Hayes Library was originally at the home of Anna Wood’s family in Edenton.
The Raglands had three children: Anna Hayes, Alice Ragland, and W. Trent Ragland, III.