Obituaries
Rae L. Ratcliff (09-22-2009)
A celebration of life will be held for Rae L. Ratcliff, 97, at First Baptist Church West Chapel in Minden, La. on Wednesday September 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Leland Crawford and Rev. Bill Crider officiating. The family will receive friends at Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Tuesday September 22, 2009 from 5:00pm till 7:00 pm. Mrs. Ratcliff moved to her Heavenly Home from Minden Town and Country Nursing and Rehab Center September 20, 2009. She was born February 29, 1912 in Fisher, LA to Eugene H. Lumpkin, Sr. and Nettie Howard. Rae was a lifelong member of Minden First Baptist Church and Mary Kirkland’s Sunday School Class. She graduated from Minden High School and attended Miss Lynne’s Business School in Shreveport. She worked for the Kitchens Law Firm, Louisiana Ordnance Plant, and the Soil Conservation Service. Among her joys were loving her grandchildren and great grandchildren and babysitting. She also enjoyed fishing off son Joe’s dock and dining on son Don’s fried fish. Her home in Minden was famous for its beautiful daffodils and lilies. She entertained her family with many good meals and duck gumbo and creamed corn. She always looked forward to fall when she would watch football on TV.
Mrs. Ratcliff was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene H. Lumpkin Sr. and Nettie Howard, and stepmother, Mary M. Lumpkin, 2 sisters, Vera Lee Grubbs and Helen L. Lumpkin, two brothers, Eugene H. Lumpkin, Jr., and Dr. William M. Lumpkin and grandchild Jay M. Ratcliff.
She is survived by her 3 sons Herman I. Ratcliff Jr., ( Betty Jo) of El Dorado, AR, Joe E. Ratcliff (Ginger) of Minden, LA and Don W. Ratcliff (Freda) of Sibley, LA 2 sisters- Iris L. Lewis of Alexandria, LA, Nettie C. Brock of Alexandria, LA, 6- grandchildren- Brian H. Ratcliff (Karen) of El Dorado, AR, Bennet C. Ratcliff (Melissa) of LaJolla, CA, Stephen E. Ratcliff of Shreveport, LA, Stanton E. Ratcliff (Lea) of Minden, LA, D. Wade Ratcliff, Jr. (Kellye) of Ruston, LA, and Christi Ratcliff of Minden, LA 10 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Brian H. Ratcliff, Bennet C. Ratcliff, Stephen E. Ratcliff, D. Wade Ratcliff, Jr., Michael Ratcliff, Matthew McIntosh, and Robert McKillips.
The family wishes to express their deepest sincere appreciation to the staff at Town and Country Nursing Home and Agape Hospice and Dr. Michael Chanler.
