Joseph M. "Joe" Ratliff

GREENSBORO — Rev. Joseph M. (Joe) Ratliff, 83, died Monday, February 9, 2009, at Beacon Place under hospice care.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, February 13, at the First Baptist Church. Internment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

Joe was born November 2, 1925, in Clanton, Ala., to George Wesley Ratliff and Lula Belle Deason. He was the youngest in a family of four sisters (one died at birth) and six brothers (one died in World War II and one died a week after birth), all deceased. On June 12, 1960, he married Joan Carol Price in Washington, D.C. He said, "This was the most significant and happiest event of my life." Joe and Joan have two children, daughter, Gerri and husband, Len Gradowski reside in Arlington, Va., with granddaughter, Lindsey Grace; and step-granddaughters, Lauren and Jennifer Gradowski; son, Stephen and wife, Paula live in Boones Mill, Va.; with grandson, William and granddaughter, Hannah. The family includes nephews, Lee (who is more a brother than a nephew), Ottis, James, Bill, and Wayne and nieces, Jean and Ann. The Ratliff's extended family consists of Doris Melson of Greensboro, N.C., Rafaela, Tony, Roberto, and Mikhaela Meznaric of Toronto, Canada, Kuldip, Kazu, and Rita Kawahara of Durham, N.C., Apple, Rom, and Arvin Vallabha of Sunnyvale, Calif., and Sailaja Sajjala of Fayetteville, N.C.

Joe was inducted into military service in 1945. He served in the U.S. Air Force until 1975, primarily with the Office of Special Investigation.

Joe came to a personal relationship with Christ at age 25. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he felt God's call to more than leisure. At the encouragement of a close pastor friend, Joe entered Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he graduated with the Master of Religious Education degree. First Baptist Church, Greensboro called him as Minister of Education and Administration and he served there for 14 and a half years.

Upon a second retirement, he found great joy in helping wherever he could. International students who lived in the home became family. He served several terms as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Shepherd Center of Greensboro and also taught computer classes there a number of years. He was a member of the Greensboro Genealogical Society and served as treasurer. Following his own experience with prostate cancer, he initiated the prostate support group at Wesley Long Hospital.

He was ordained by the First Baptist Church of Grensboro in 1986.

He enjoyed the fellowship of the Men's Service Class at church and often taught Sunday School classes. He served as president of Alpha (the church Senior Adult Fellowship) for several years. He loved the church and contributed to its programs whenever he could. One great love was the church's summer mission building trips, both in this country and overseas. When he became too sick to hammer, he would appear just to give support to those working.

His grandchildren became another focus of his life, including those "acquired" from international families. He was never too busy to speak to anyone no matter who or what their need. His sense of humor was with him even throughout his illness. He served his God and fulfilled His mission for him in humility and love.

The family will receive friends in the church atrium following the celebration of life service.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Donald Murinson and all those at the Cancer Center for their loving support during the years of treatment.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 1000 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27401 or Beacon Place-Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2502 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405.

Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Funeral Home is assisting the family and on line condolences may be made to www.MEM.com