J.D. “James” Ratliff, Sr., 87, died Thursday, May 25, 2017 at North Miss. Medical Center Hospice after an extended illness. Born July 17, 1929 in McComb, Miss. to Monroe and Mattie Ratliff. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on December 10, l961, Mr. Ratliff served as a congregation Elder in the Chicagoland area and the South Tupelo Congregation for decades. His wife, Rose, and he served as full time pioneer ministers for 15 years. His favorite scripture was 2 Timothy 3: 1-5, which he shared with many. Mr. Ratliff’s working career included many years at Reynold’s Aluminum in Chicago. After relocating to Tupelo in l995, he enjoyed many years as a School Crossing Guard at Church Street School. J.D. enjoyed CB Radio, where he was known as “Good Honey”, listening to the Blues, bowling, playing spades, watching his three sons serve as congregation elders and a good haircut.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 1 PM today (Sat. 5/27) at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (410 Monument Dr., Tupelo) with burial to follow in Tupelo Memorial Park on Joyner St. Visitation will be 30 minutes prior to the service today at Kingdom Hall. Holland Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel is honored to be serving the family.
Mr. Ratliff leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Rose Ratliff of Tupelo; his sons, J.D. (Hope) of Sylacaugah, AL, Sammie (Esther) Ratliff and Russell (Pamela) Ratliff and a daughter, Tynisha Morgan of all of Tupelo. one brother, J. P. (Lovey) Ratliff of Madeira, CA. and three sisters, Annaree (Leroy) Jenkins, and Alamae Butler all of Chicago and Elouise (Milton) of Richmond, CA. 15 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net
