Artie Luckett Ratliff Tapscott departed this life March 17, 2013. God blessed her with 93 beautiful years on this earth. Artie was born in Decatur on April 2, 1919, to the late Ottie Walter and Malinda Russell Luckett. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Orator Sullivan, Lucy Pates and Dorothy Thompson; one brother, Walter Watson Luckett; and one son, Edward Franklin Ratliff.
She gave her life to Christ at an early age and united with Mt. Mariah Methodist Church in Talucah. After moving to Decatur, she united with St. James C.P. Church in America where she was a member for over 50 years. She served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and in the Missionary Society. When her health began to decline, she moved in with her daughter, Lynne, and united with Macedonia C.P. Church in America, where she remained faithful.
After obtaining her diploma, she attended nursing school and was employed at Miller and Jacob Clinic for over 30 years, and she was also employed by the City of Decatur as a safety crossing guard for Carver Elementary School and Lakeside High School for 25-plus years.
Artie Mae was a member of the Siemper Fidelis Club of Decatur for over 40 years and loved cooking and entertaining her family and friends. She loved reading the Book of Psalms and would often refer to it.
Artie Mae, “Nug” as she was called by many of her family and friends, was a woman of character, devoted to her family. Her pride and joy was listening to her children sing and Lois playing the piano. She believed in education and often told her children how proud she was to be able to live to see them finish college, because that opportunity was not afforded her due to her mother’s death when she was only 13 years old. Her children will tell you that she gave up much for them and loved them with all her heart. She made sure that they were brought up in the admonition of the Lord. Whenever she was unavailable to take them to church functions, she would entrust them only in the hands of, Nettie Wynn, Pansy Tramble and Amanda “Ma Mandy” Dabney.
Her survivors include daughters, Linda Raybon, Rev. Dr. G. Lynne Herring (John) and Carole Ratliff; son, Sean Robert Tapscott; grandchildren, Edward Raybon (Elizabeth), Teedi Engram (Xavier), Chasity Raybon, Andre Ratliff (Christina), Stasha Ratliff, Brandon Ratliff , Ebony Ratliff and Letoya Fletcher; children she raised, Brenda Joyce Tabscott, Darryl Tapscott and Lolitha Tapscott; 11 great-grandchildren, three great-great- grandchildren; son-in-law, Leonard Raybon; niece, Lovie Pates Swoope (David); nephew, Leslie Luckett (Sandra); a host of other relatives, extended family and friends.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Men’s Ministry of Macedonia CPCA and the honorary flower bearers will be the Siemper Fidelis Club, active flower bearers will be the Women’s Ministry of Macedonia CPCA.
The family will receive friends today and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at 3244 Vicksburg Drive SW, Decatur, AL 35603, Pastor Herring’s Home. The Celebration of Life will be noon Friday at Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America with the Reverend India Scruggs officiating and interment in Decatur City Cemetery. The body will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral service with Reynolds Funeral Home directing.
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