Yvonne L. Ralston

Dr. Yvonne L. (Carroll) Ralston 85, of Bartow, formerly of Tampa, died 8/1/2018 from complications associated with Alzheimer’s disease. She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband, Dr. Thomas B. Carroll, daughters, Lori Fowler of Zephyrhills & Lynn Calhoun (Richard) of Dover, sons Jon Carroll (Brenda) of Milton NC & Larry Fowler, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Dr. Ralston had a broad range of higher education experiences and consulting work in vocational and technical institutes, community colleges as well as private and state universities. Her expertise in learning styles and individualized instruction was the predecessor for today’s digital/virtual learning delivery system. She was greatly influenced by the equal rights movement for women in higher education. In 1969 she became the first woman to hold a Community College Dean’s position in the State of Florida at Hillsborough Community College. She went on to be Dean of Instruction at Daytona Beach Community College in Florida, then Dean of Academic Services and Assistant to the President at Beaver Community College in Pennsylvania. Her first of several university positions was at Puerto Rico’s International American University. As Assistant VP for Academic Affairs, she founded the on-base education program for military personnel at the Roosevelt Roads Military Facility. During her Doctoral Assistantship at the University of Mississippi, she assisted the Dean of College of Arts & Sciences in developing power studies. As an Associate Professor at Memphis State University, she taught graduate level courses on educational administration and supervision. Concurrently, Dr. Ralston did extensive college & university consulting work in Tennessee involving strengthening the development of institution projects and programs. Her career concluded at the University of South Florida where she initially was Assistant to the University Provost. Then, for 13 years, she was the Founding Dean and Executive Officer at the USF Lakeland Campus. It is fitting that Dr. Ralston ended her career as an academic leader where she took her first steps as a student earning a M.Ed. (Library / Media) and a B.Ed. (English). The Family will receive friends Friday, August 10, 2018, from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, 650 E. Main Street, Bartow 33830. Graveside funeral services will be held Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at Oak Hill Burial Park, 4620 Hwy 98 N., Lakeland, 33813. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/donate <http://www.alz.org/donate>) is appreciated. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com