Forrest James "Jim" Ratliff

Forrest James "Jim" Ratliff, age 71, of Oakwood, Virginia passed away Tuesday (September 16, 2025) due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born August 28, 1954 in Richlands, Virginia, he was a son of the late Forrest and Myrtle Damron Ratliff of Oakwood, Virginia. A lifelong resident of Buchanan County, Virginia, he was a graduate of Garden High School and he attended New Life Fellowship Church in Oakwood. In his younger years, he loved riding his horse, Sunrise, and together they won many trophies and blue ribbons. He worked at Forrest Ratliff Trucking for many years until he established his own business, Jim Ratliff Trucking, which he ran for forty-two years. Trucking was his life's enjoyment and gave him opportunity to lovingly provide for his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Shortt Ratliff; and his son, Dustin James Ratliff; niece, Chloe Ratliff and nephew, Chris Wilson.

Survivors include his daughter, Carrie Ratliff of Knoxville, Tennessee; two sisters, Olivia Wilson and husband, Jerry and Elizabeth Ratliff both of Oakwood, Virginia; brother, David Ratliff and wife, Kim of Richlands; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and truck driving friends along with his very special K-9 companions and best friends, Max and Pup.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff of Pikeville Medical Center and Fresenius Kidney Care of Grundy, Virginia, especially his nurse, Carrie and the staff of Honaker Funeral Home for their kindness, help and professional service.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 PM Sunday (September 21, 2025 at New Life Fellowship, 10669 Riverside Drive, Oakwood, Virginia 24631 with Pastor Jerry Wilson and Evangelist Roger Null officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Virginia.

Pallbearers will be David Ratliff, Caleb Ratilff, Mike Bradley, Bill Stiltner, Richard Wilson, Joe Keene and Donald Davis.

Kevin Owens, Barry Hubbard, Tony Deskins and Roger Daniels will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends after 6 PM at New Life Fellowship, where an evening service will be conducted at 7 PM.

Online condolences may be made at www.honakerfuneralhome.net.