• Ralph EllisPatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Decatur-Avondale Estates, GA

Email: Ralph.ellis@patch.com

Phone: 404-234-8734

Hometown: Waynesville, N.C.

Birthday: July 31

Bio: Ralph Ellis is a veteran journalist who has lived in Decatur since 2007. He serves on the homeowner’s association board for the 335 West Ponce condo building in downtown Decatur.

Ralph has extensive experience as a writer and editor for newspapers in the Southeast.  A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1990. He reported on a variety of subjects, such as a couple coming to grips with their son’s homosexuality, the high cost of local elections in North Fulton County, and a man who started a Kenyan orphanage for children with AIDS in honor of his late wife.

Ralph is married to Susan Puckett, the former food editor at the AJC.

He has three grown children, Robert, David and Julia.

When he’s not working, Ralph likes to walk, swim, read, and play with his greyhound, Laney. Ralph belongs to the Atlanta Writers Club and has written a mystery novel (unpublished) and is working on a second novel.

Ralph's Beliefs At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics

I have moderate Democratic leanings, but I’ve voted for some Republicans.

Religion

I was raised a Methodist and am now a member of Kairos Church in Grant Park, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

Local Hot-Button Issues

People in Decatur and Avondale Estates care deeply about quality of life issues, and that starts with the local school systems. Both towns have become magnets in recent years for couples with young children, so the emphasis on education will only increase.

Other issues people care about: Dogs, backyard farming, food and drink.

Posting Activity

Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

Emory's Kevin Young Wins Literary Award

Young, a Decatur area resident, won the 2013 PEN Open Book Award for his book, "The Grey Album: On the Blackness of Blackness."

Emory's Kevin Young Wins Literary Award
Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

McGowan's Scores 70 on Health Inspection

Patch rounds up some recent health inspection scores for restaurants in and around the Decatur and Avondale Estates communities.

McGowan's Scores 70 on Health Inspection
Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

5 High-Dollar Homes in Avondale Estates

Looking for a new house? Have a big checkbook? Check out these properties in Avondale Estates.

5 High-Dollar Homes in Avondale Estates
Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

Oakhurst Elementary Getting New Principal

Mary Mack was named director of elementary education for the City Schools of Decatur. Oakhurst also was named a Georgia School of Excellence.

Oakhurst Elementary Getting New Principal
Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

Weekender: True Stories at Kavarna

Here are five fun things to do this weekend in Decatur and Avondale Estates.

Weekender: True Stories at Kavarna
Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

Changes at Decatur Cooperative Ministry

Marlene White is the new executive director and James Wilson the finance/administration director. Sue Holec, development director, is leaving DMC.

Changes at Decatur Cooperative Ministry
Decatur-Avondale Estates|News|

Five Great Farmers Markets

There are plenty of good farmers markets around Decatur and Avondale Estates. Here are five of them.

Five Great Farmers Markets