Cecilia Allen Ratliff

At times a force to be reckoned with, but also mild mannered, thoughtful, giving loving, and yes, timid. Our Ceil left us on April 29, 2024 to be with the Lord and her wonderful husband Tom. 

Born Cecilia Mae Allen on September 9, 1940 in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Maggie Edna Allen and Boyd Baker Allen. She was the third born of four children

Ceil and Tom tied the knot in Ohio in 1960 and within a couple of years they relocated to central Florida as Tom joined the Navy and was stationed in Sanford, Florida. Ceil found work as a secretary and eventually ended up at the Winter Park Telephone Company where she spent the bulk of her working career. The phone company changed names and owners a few times, but Ceil remained steadfast in her work. 

While working, Ceil earned a bachelors degree at night from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She was also a CPS or Certified Professional Secretary. Ceil and Tom loved to entertain at home.They loved to gather their friends around for a meal. If you were lucky, you would have had Ceil's famous trash bag spinach salad. Ceil's other hobbies included traveling, square dancing, coloring, reading, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, all manner of needlework, lunch with the pioneer club and watching her favorite television programs. She loved Dancing with the Stars, and Ceil was a very accomplished seamstress. For many years, she made all of the clothing that she wore to work and she was always well-dressed. 

Together, Ceil and Tom created a happy life in central Florida and were married for 53 years until Tom developed a rare heart condition and succumbed to the ravages of it in 2013. Even through Ceil grieved for Tom, she began to prepare to move forward in her life without him, knowing that she would see him again one day. Eventually, Ceil sold her home and moved into a retirement community, where she began to make a lot of new friends and had great times. 

Through all the years and the trials and tribulations, the happy times, the sad times, they had their faith and loved the Lord. Both Ceil and Tom studied the Bible and went to church regularly. They loved their church community and were dedicated to it. 

Our Ceil had failing health over the last year and a half or so, largely due to her congestive heart failure and had also had several falls.

Like Tom, our Ceil was one of a kind and we will miss her desperately as will many others.

Ceil was predeceased by her parents Maggie E Allen, Boyd B Allen, sister, Dallis Stanton, sister, Della Keck and others.

She is survived by brother Johnnie Allen, nephews, Randall and Roger RATLIFF, nieces, Brenda Mcfadden - Gee, Kathy Dickman, Maggie Allen, Patrice Morrison, Cynthia Owen and others. 

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 16th, 1pm at Highland Funeral Home, 3329 E. Semoran Blvd., Apopka FL. Ceil will be laid to rest in Highland Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations can be made at Redeemer Anglican Church (PO Box 522424, Longwood, Fl. 32752) or the American Heart Association.