In Memoriam: Dr. Donald Raggio

Published on Tuesday, May 27, 2025

The Medical Center extends its sympathy to the family of a former faculty member in appreciation for the loved one’s contributions to the academic health sciences center.

Dr. Donald Raggio

Dr. Donald J. Raggio, a member of the UMMC School of Medicine faculty for 45 years, specializing in child development, and a psychologist, died May 3, 2025, at the age of 81. Services were held at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland May 19. He was one of the founding psychologists in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

“Dr. Raggio’s work with children has touched so many lives in the community,” said Dr. Dorothy Scattone, professor of child development and a longtime companion. “There isn’t a place he didn’t go where someone said you treated my child. He trained countless psychologists over the span of his 45-year career and wrote numerous papers. He was the most important person in my life, and I miss him dearly.”

The youngest of five children, Raggio was born Oct. 27, 1943, to Joseph James Raggio and Grace Augusta Hanley of Hazlehurst. He excelled in athletics during his youth, serving as both a pitcher on the high school baseball team and a quarterback on the football team, and completed his education at Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Raggio dedicated his life to studying learning differences and developmental disorders in children, developing the Raggio Evaluation of Attention Deficit Disorder (READD), and publishing many papers on his research. His compassionate care and expertise touched the lives of countless patients and families. His commitment to education and mentorship earned him several awards throughout his distinguished career.

Dr. Mary Taylor, professor and Suzan B. Thames Chair of Pediatrics, said Raggio’s legacy is one of care.

“He was passionate about caring for children in our Child Development Center and our Center for Advancement of Youth (CAY),” she said. “Dr. Raggio touched so many lives in the state of Mississippi, building a wonderful foundation upon which our Center has grown and flourished. Dr. Raggio was a quiet and unassuming faculty member. Working within the team at CAY, he helped shape the developmental and behavioral health of so many children. He was one of the giants in the Department of Pediatrics, and he will be greatly missed. We aim to continue to honor his memory using his example in the care that we provide.”

Raggio was passionate about giving back, taking pride in his fundraising efforts for Children's of Mississippi, where he made a meaningful difference in children's health care across the state.

He was happily married to Rebecca (Becky) Allen Raggio for more than 30 years until her death in 2006. Together, they lovingly raised two sons, Chris and Neil.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed traveling, golfing, and fishing. In his later years, he looked forward to his weekly men's Bible study group at Beagle Bagel and cherished time with Scattone, exploring their mutual love of travel and cooking.

Raggio's legacy is one of kindness, generosity and a profound commitment to improving the lives of others. He will be missed by his family, friends, colleagues and the many patients whose lives he touched.

Memorials may be made to Children’s of Mississippi in Raggio’s honor.