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D.V. "Dollie" Ratliff
D.V. "Dollie" Ratliff
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D.V. Ratliff Obituary
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, Aug. 14 at Wilkerson Funeral Home. Interment followed in Evergreen Memory Gardens, 7875 US Highway 158 West, Reidsville.
Ms. Ratliff was born in Draffin, Kentucky on May 19, 1911 to the late Emmitt and Nancy Jane Hawkins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Ratliff, her children, Gleama Ratliff, Ruth Bartley, Elster Ratliff, Dallas Ratliff, Erdil Lee Ratliff, Willis Ray Ratliff, Travis Ratliff and Bobby Ratliff; brothers, Ray Hawkins, Creed Hawkins, Ralph Hawkins, Luther Hawkins and Jesse Bartley.
She is survived by her children; Evelyn Hapner and Dennis Ratliff, both of Jacksonville, Fla., Marshall Ratliff of Reidsville, Sara R. Hopper and Bernie Ratliff, both of Eden, Ernie Ratliff of Germantown. She is also survived by 54 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and nieces and nephews; and a sister, Irene Bowyer.
The family received friends at Wilkerson Funeral Home on Sunday, Aug. 13 from 7- 9 p.m. Other times the family will be at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, P.O. Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.
Condolences may be made at www.wilkersonfuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Robyn Stanley
October 12, 2023
Hello! My name is Robyn and my grandpa was Erdil Lee Ratliff- my mom was Deborah Anne Ratliff. Found this memorial. My family and I are leaving Florida (originally from IA) and found a cute place in Pikeville. As it turns out, that´s where my grandpa "Lee" was from. Small world. We did visit Dollie a couple of times growing up. I snapped peas with her on the front porch. If any other family are out there or remember my Grandpa Erdil Lee please reach out.
Samantha Clark
August 17, 2006
My children go to school at Central and were very upset to find out that Mr. Ratliff's mother had passed. May God be with you in your time of need.
Tracie Sulentic (Ratliff)
August 15, 2006
I’m truly sorry to hear about the loss of our Grandmother. Our prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. Through the years she faced a lot of sorrow. Nothing worse than the loss of a child, something no parent should ever endure, but she did more than once. She found strength through the Lord to live when other would give up. Now she’s reunited with her children in Heaven with our Savior Jesus Christ. The years have passes and lives are lived and I’m sorry to say that I did not truly know my Grandmother all that well, but it does not change the fact that I’m here because of her. I love her for that reason, I live because she lived. What a large family legacy she has left us, and we will all go on until the end of time.
I wish I could have been at the funeral, but my prayers and thoughts where there with everyone.
Tracie (Ratliff)Sulentic
Granddaughter (Travis Ratliff)
Great Grandchildren
Brandon O’Dell 20
Kelli O’Dell 19
Jaron O’Dell 16
Joshua Sulentic 1
Brenda Brasher
August 14, 2006
We just found out about Aunt Dollie and am so sorry. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you.
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Karen Flanhardt
August 13, 2006
I'm one of the 54 grand children that Dollie Ratliff has left behind. I'm Evelyn Hapner's oldest daughter, Karen Flanhardt. I live in Indiana.
I wrote this entry in my journal on August 11th, 2006, a few hours after I heard my loving grandmother had gone home to rest.
I wrote: "Today on August 11th, 2006, around 3:00 p.m., my grandmother, Dollie Ratliff, passed away. She's the only grandparent I've had for the past 20 years. She is my mother's mother. I don't have anymore grandparents living on this Earth. My mother called me soon after she learned her mother passed away. After the struggle to live, her last few years on our earth, she left our world for a much better place. All I could think of, other than to feel the stabbing sting of our loss, was, Grandma, if you can hear me, you picked a fine day to go to Heaven! Even though it was a beautiful, sunny, glorious day today, I'm sure what you saw as you walk through Heaven's gates couldn't begin to mirror what a lovely day you had here. My grandmother was an extremely spiritual woman with her heart and soul fully devoted to her Lord and Saviour."
These past few days I've lovingly remembered the summer that me, my sisters, Teresa and Kim, spent the summer with Grandma. I thought it was the longest time to be away from my mom and dad. That was the summer I turned 13, a teenager. Not the place I wanted to be at that time, stuck in the country with my grandmother. But, I've come to relish those precious few months that my sisters and I had her, only to ourselves. What we learned from her over that summer and the years that have passed (32 years) have become cherished speckles of gold spun into my memory.
Over the years Grandma shared the details of her life growing up in Kentucky. I'm honored to know as much about her family, my family, as I do. Those of us priveledged enough to be a part of her family realize what a great loss we've have. But our loss, is Heaven's gain, and I know I'll talk with her again. In the meantime, until we see her again, we can rest in the comfort knowing that she is finally where she lived to be, in Heaven with her Lord, her children, her family and her friends. In Loving Memory of My Grandma, Dollie Varden Ratliff. I love you and will miss you dearly!
Your granddaughter,
Karen
Kim Powell (Bartley)
August 13, 2006
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2006
loreda beavers
August 12, 2006
We love you guys and we're thinking of you at this time.
Love,
Loreda and Dennis Beavers
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