Ronald Michael Ratliff, Sr., 79, died Saturday, June 24, 2023, at North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born April 18, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Arnold and Ruby McMichael Ratliff. He was a member of First Baptist Church Tupelo. After serving in the United States Air Force, his professional career consisted of working at Aircap, Metalloy, Action, and owning and managing Bel-Air Golf Course.
Ron loved gardening-especially growing tomatoes and sharing his crops with family and friends. He helped his wife, Nancy, grow show roses and finally, after years and numerous blue ribbons, won “Queen of the Show.”
Ron enjoyed watching and attending Tennessee Volunteer football games. He would often say, “I bleed orange.”
Ron had a passion for helping those in need. He helped anonymously and never wanted praise for the things he did.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Nancy Dickson Ratliff of Tupelo; his four children, Kimberly Estes and her husband, Cliff, of Columbia, South Carolina, Alicia Coggin of Tupelo, Rhonda Jolly and her husband, Dr. Mark, of Bradenton, Florida, and Rev. Ronald Michael Ratliff, Jr. and his wife, Beth, of Mooreville; one sister, Nancy Brown of Athens, Tennessee; eight grandchildren, Brittany Farag (David), Austin Jolly (Emily), Ronald Michael Ratliff, III “Trey” (fiancée Sophy), Kelly Coggin, David Jolly, Lauren Jolly, Shai Perring, Jeremiah Estes; and six great-grandchildren.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Ray and Martha Dickson (Bai Bai and Popper), whom he loved dearly.
Private family services will be held. Pegues Funeral Directors has been entrusted with arrangements.
