Franklin Ratliff

Franklin Delano Ratliff LEBANON, Va. Franklin Delano Ratliff, 71, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 27, 2010, at his home. He was born Jan. 30, 1939, in Garden, Va., the son of the late Bert Marvin and Ruth Gay Turner Ratliff. Franklin had made his home in Lebanon the past 34 years and was a dedicated member of the Spring City Baptist Church. He was an avid gardener and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sharing his harvest with others. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Loretta Ratliff; a brother, James K. Ratliff; and an infant granddaughter, Rachel Ashley Ratliff. Survivors include the love of his life, his wife of 50 years, Margaret Ann Boyd Ratliff; two sons, David Ratliff and wife Karen, Lebanon, Brian Ratliff and wife Donna, Amherst; two daughters, Gail Partin and husband Phillip, Bristol Virginia, and Natalie Blankenship and husband Brian, Abingdon; 12 beloved grandchildren, Heather, Hillary, Rebekah, Holly and Joshua Ratliff, Meagan Quesenberry, Landon Partin, Austin, Aaron, Annali Blankenship, Christina and Benjamin Partin; and one great-grandson, O'Rion; two brothers, Roger Ratliff and wife Delores, and Herman Ratcliffe and wife Holly; three sisters, Christine Wilson and husband Jerry Sr., Dorothy Graham and Tammy Ratliff; many nieces, nephews and special friends. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2010, in the Spring City Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Suttle and Brother Jason Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon. Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews, John Ratliff, Jerry Wilson Jr., Ted Wilson, Jeff Sexton, Lynn Jackson, Stephen Jackson, Colby Smith, Kevin Bostic, Jonathan Bostic and Caleb Boyd. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons, Austin and Aaron Blankenship, Joshua Ratliff and Landon Partin; along with Tate Jackson, Carl Jackson, Lee Scott Horne, Ralph Davis, Jerry Wilson Sr., Rick Thompson, Don Coon, Bill Stoots, Kim Davis and Harry Salyers. George and Lisa Jessee, Janet Cook and Betsy Brown will be singing some of his favorite songs. The family will receive friends for 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, at the church. Combs Funeral Service, 291 Fincastle Road, Lebanon, VA 24266, (276) 889-4444, is serving the Ratliff family.