It is with great sadness that the family announces the peaceful passing of Meredith Lynn (Smith) Ragsdale, on February 22, 2025, marking the end of her courageous and inspiring 8-year journey with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Meredith was loved by so many in the community of Alton, Illinois, where she lived and worked for more than 50 years, and where she was widely known for her exceptional piano talent. When she wasn’t teaching individual piano lessons, she could be found playing the piano for Sunday mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church or lifting the spirits of residents at Rosewood and Eunice Smith nursing homes with nostalgic piano sing-a-longs. Meredith was known for her beaming smile, and she brightened every room she entered with her fun-loving personality.
Meredith was born in St. Louis, Missouri to her beloved parents Dorothy (Ebner) and David Smith on August 11, 1943. Deeply devoted to her Catholic faith, she received a Catholic education at St. Joseph’s Academy and Fontbonne College in St. Louis, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Education.
In 1968, she married Dr. Edward Ragsdale of Russellville, Arkansas, whom she met at a St. Louis Young Republicans meeting. Following a two year stint living at Scott Air Force Base while Ed served as a captain in the Air Force, they moved to Alton in 1970 when he joined the radiology staff of Alton Memorial Hospital.
Meredith quickly became one of the area’s most sought-after piano teachers for children, with a steady stream of students showing up to take lessons on her grand piano every afternoon. She also taught piano to adults at Lewis and Clark Community College and was very active in local musician guilds and societies. Meredith was also thrilled to be a featured musician in the Sunday night summer concert series playing the Carillon Bells at the Nan Elliot Rose Garden at Gordon Moore Park.
Outside of her piano teaching, Meredith was very involved in the community including leadership positions with the Junior League, Community Service League, Medical Wives and was a lifelong volunteer for the Madison County Republican Party. Meredith and Ed loved traveling the world and visited all seven continents, including an unforgettable cruise to Antarctica back in 1999. Meredith prioritized her health and enjoyed working out so much that in 2007, she was featured in The Alton Telegraph as a “Workout Wonder” after her 1,000th workout at the Curves fitness facility.
Meredith is now joyfully reunited in heaven with Edward, her husband of 55 years, and her parents, David and Dorothy Smith. She is survived by her three children: Lynda Davey, Alan Ragsdale and Phillip Ragsdale, her son-in-law Tim Davey and daughter-in-law Samantha Ragsdale; her four grandchildren: Sam Davey, Sara Davey, Ava Ragsdale and Tucker Ragsdale; her brother Randy Smith, sister-in-law Edna Smith and her 2 nephews: David and Nathan Smith.
Meredith’s beautiful music will live on at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton, as the family donated her grand piano to the congregation. It is installed on the altar with the inscription, “Music is the prayer the heart sings.”
Visitation:
Friday, March 21 from 9:30-11am
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
519 E 4th St, Alton, IL 62002
Funeral Mass:
Friday at 11am
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
519 E 4th St, Alton, IL 62002
Burial to follow Funeral Mass:
St. Joseph’s Cemetery
904 College Ave.
Alton, IL 62002
Funeral Luncheon immediately following burial:
St. Mary’s Parish Center (formerly St. Matthews)
1015 Milton Rd. in Alton
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association in Meredith’s name. Visit www.alz.org
