Lelah Ratliff

RATLIFF, Mrs. Lelah B. - Age 90, passed away Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at Avalon Hospice. Family hour 10:30AM Monday, December 31, 2007 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 1083 E. Stewart Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11AM. Pastor Lewis Randolph, officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Monday. Mrs. Ratliff will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10AM-8PM Sunday. Mrs. Ratliff was born November 12, 1917 in Memphis Tennessee, the daughter of the late Robert and Lelah Bradford-Holmes. She attended Geeta High School in Memphis. In February 1937, she married Mr. James L. Ratliff and relocated to Flint in 1945. Mrs. Ratliff accepted Christ at an early age. Upon moving to Flint she united with the Antioch Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Arnold, where she was a very active and faithful member. Mrs. Ratliff was a member of the North Side Circle. She loved to sing and sang with Choir #2 until her health began to fail. Reading her Bible was her joy and cooking was her passion. Mrs. Ratliff leaves precious memories with her children, 4 daughters, Erma Bell of Flushing Michigan, who was her primary caregiver for the last 4 years, Lorene Randall of Flint, Sylvia (James) Avery, Sr. of Henderson NV and Freda (Dandre') Ratliff-Williams of Flint; 2 sons, Lawrence Ratliff of Flushing and James Ratliff, Jr. of Flint; brother, Hardin (Virginia) Holmes of Detroit; daughter-in-law, Barbara Ratliff of Flint; sisters-in-law, Catherine Holmes of White Haven, TN, Vivian Holmes of Flint, Eliza Calvin of St. Louis, MO, Creamola R. Moore, Arnettie Jones, Lee Ethel (Jake) Matlock and Edmonia Powell all of Kansas City, MO; 22 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Ratliff was preceded in death by her husband, James Ratliff, Sr.; parents, Robert and Lelah Bradford-Holmes; daughter, Jeanette Ratliff; son, Calvin Ratliff; brothers, Earnest (Skeeter) Holmes, Robert Holmes, Jr., Bradford Holmes, Sr. and Eddie Holmes; sister, Mrs. Alice Brooks. The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, calls, cards and words of comfort during Mrs. Ratliff's illness. A special "Thank You" to Rev. and Mrs. Palmer and family for all the wonderful acts of kindness. You were there whenever needed. Mike, Thank you for keeping the driveway clear so I could get out in a hurry. grandson, Frank Bell Jr. for being there in time of need. Rev. Otha Hill and Rev. Gilbert Anderson for all your visits and prayers, Dr. Randolph Schumacher MD, Lisa Lindsey NP, Shawn Badal FNPC, and the entire staff at the Hurley Geriatrics Center, Dr. and Mrs. Paul Musson and Staff, Dr. Ahmad Akl, Dr. Pasupuleti, the Hurley Medical Center Staff and the staff at Avalon Hospice. Also Pastor Latrelle Holmes and The Greater Galilee Baptist Church Family and Pastor Lewis Randolph and the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Family.

Lelah Ratliff

November 12, 1917 - December 25, 2007