Ralph Jennings Twiggs Jr. (March 11, 1928 – September 17, 2003) was an American politician from Georgia. He served more than 30 years in the Georgia House of Representatives.

Ralph Twiggs
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office
January 8, 1973 – September 17, 2003
Preceded byJimmy Richard Jones
Succeeded byCharles F. Jenkins
Constituency4th district (1973–1993)
8th district (1993–2003)
Personal details
Born
Ralph Jennings Twiggs Jr.

(1928-03-11)March 11, 1928
Hiawassee, Georgia, U.S.
DiedSeptember 17, 2003(2003-09-17) (aged 75)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Mary Buckner
(m. 1971; died 1999)
Children3
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force
Years of service1952

Early life and education

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Twiggs was born in Hiawassee, Georgia, in 1928.[1] As a teenager, Twiggs befriended future Governor and Senator Zell Miller.[2]

In 1951, he graduated from the Southern College of Pharmacy.[1] After serving in the medical division of the United States Air Force in 1952, Twiggs began a career as a pharmacist.[1]

Political career

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Twiggs was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1972.[1] He would go on to win a total of sixteen terms in the chamber, amassing significant seniority.[1] During his final term in office, Twiggs had risen to become chair of the Transportation Committee.[2] He had also previously chaired the Public Safety Committee.[2] A passionate advocate for public education, Twiggs championed Georgia's free kindergarten program.[2]

Death

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Twiggs died of pneumonia in Houston on September 17, 2003, where he was receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Georgia Official and Statistical Register, 1973–1974" (PDF). Georgia Department of Archives and History. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Ralph Twiggs, veteran lawmaker, dies". Access WDUN. September 19, 2003. Retrieved February 21, 2022.