Ralph ("Ralfi") M. Talbott of St. Marys, GA passed on January 9, 2025. Born 1936 in Philippi, WV, son of Leslie Darl "Muggins" Talbott and Estella Pearl "Peg" (Glascock) Talbott, he had two brothers Lynn and Jack, all deceased. Survivors include daughters Peg Frain (Chuck), Michelle "Sue" Sneary (Stan) and son Rob, all living in NE Indiana. A nephew/son Michael lives in Louisiana. Two grandchildren and three great grandchildren all survive. He is also survived by Suzi Plaine, his wife, first mate, and love of forty years.

Following four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, he attended WV University, then International Business School in Fort Wayne, IN graduating with honors. After eleven years marketing life insurance as a CLU, Ralph joined Indiana BCBS marketing employee benefits. He was successful in enrolling several large clients including employees of the state of Indiana being awarded the BCBS "Q-E-D". While living in the Indianapolis area, Ralph was instrumental for obtaining financing for the construction of the Sunrise at Geist United Methodist Church. After which, Ralph spent time in Sierra Leone as a missionary building a school.

In 1988, Ralph retired from Anthem BCBS and settled on his Nauticat sailboat "Tievoli" to sail in the 1992 "America 500" Quincentenary Voyage of Christopher Columbus from Spain where he met his wife Suzi. They cruised the Caribbean including Cuba and the Bahamas for several years with their schipperke Toby and then settled in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Ralph worked as a yacht broker specializing in Nauticat motorsailers and delivery boat captain.

In 2010, Ralph and Suzi moved to St. Marys having discovered its charm while cruising. Recent years have been spent traveling throughout the country with Suzi in their Phoenix Cruiser RV.

Internment is in Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Association in memory of  the "Captain of Tievoli".

"The strife is o,er, the battle done; the victory of life is won." "Ralfi is home."