Obituary for James Edward Ratliff
On February 15, 2021, Our Heavenly Father called James into his arms. Born
James Edward Ratliff in Greenwood, MS on February 4, 1939 to the late Mae Bell
Boykin and Felix McCullough. He was the first of four children born.
James accepted Christ at an early age in 1951 in Greenwood MS. In 1959, James
joined in Holy Matrimony with Ophelia Gayden. To this union six children were
born.
James completed public school and graduated from Crane High School in Chicago IL.
James was ordained and received his Certificate of Ordination June 16, 1963. He
completed four years of study in the Cairo, IL extension unit of The American Baptist
Theological Seminary, February, 19, 1989.
Rev. Ratliff has contributed to the success in the teaching ministry. He was called in
the ministry at Greater White Stone M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. B.T.
Blumenberg. In 1969, he was called to Pastor. He pastored from 1969 – 2012 at
the Bethlehem M.B. Church, Mt Zion M.B. Church, of Hodges Park, IL, St. Matthew
Baptist Church in Charleston, MO, Southwind Immanuel Church in Michigan City
IN, along with other churches in Mississippi.
Rev. Ratliff was employed at L Fish Furniture Store in Chicago IL. He was also
employed at Eckerd Drug Store and Pemberton Manor Nursing Home in Greenwood
MS.
Rev. Ratliff loved to walk and golf. He had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed
being around the family and sharing information about his healthy eating. He was
always active and volunteered at his residence at Catholic Charities in Hines, IL and
the community at Oak Street Health in Berwyn, IL.
Rev. Ratliff leaves to cherish his life: JoAnn Taylor (Bill), Vivian Denise Ratliff,
Carolyn Marie Smith (Jose), Earlene Gail Ratliff, Angela Ratliff, James Edward Ratliff
Jr., Step daughter, Carmelita O. Swinger (Mike), 11 grandchildren, 8 great grand-
children, 3 siblings: Lyvester Ratliff (Raybell deceased) Eddie Howard Ratliff
(deceased) (Mammie Bee Ratliff), Nelson L. Ratliff (Clarene), a host of nieces,
nephews, and other relatives and friends. Rev. Ratliff had a Special closeness to his
cousin Evangelist Jean White Reid
James Edward Ratliff in Greenwood, MS on February 4, 1939 to the late Mae Bell
Boykin and Felix McCullough. He was the first of four children born.
James accepted Christ at an early age in 1951 in Greenwood MS. In 1959, James
joined in Holy Matrimony with Ophelia Gayden. To this union six children were
born.
James completed public school and graduated from Crane High School in Chicago IL.
James was ordained and received his Certificate of Ordination June 16, 1963. He
completed four years of study in the Cairo, IL extension unit of The American Baptist
Theological Seminary, February, 19, 1989.
Rev. Ratliff has contributed to the success in the teaching ministry. He was called in
the ministry at Greater White Stone M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. B.T.
Blumenberg. In 1969, he was called to Pastor. He pastored from 1969 – 2012 at
the Bethlehem M.B. Church, Mt Zion M.B. Church, of Hodges Park, IL, St. Matthew
Baptist Church in Charleston, MO, Southwind Immanuel Church in Michigan City
IN, along with other churches in Mississippi.
Rev. Ratliff was employed at L Fish Furniture Store in Chicago IL. He was also
employed at Eckerd Drug Store and Pemberton Manor Nursing Home in Greenwood
MS.
Rev. Ratliff loved to walk and golf. He had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed
being around the family and sharing information about his healthy eating. He was
always active and volunteered at his residence at Catholic Charities in Hines, IL and
the community at Oak Street Health in Berwyn, IL.
Rev. Ratliff leaves to cherish his life: JoAnn Taylor (Bill), Vivian Denise Ratliff,
Carolyn Marie Smith (Jose), Earlene Gail Ratliff, Angela Ratliff, James Edward Ratliff
Jr., Step daughter, Carmelita O. Swinger (Mike), 11 grandchildren, 8 great grand-
children, 3 siblings: Lyvester Ratliff (Raybell deceased) Eddie Howard Ratliff
(deceased) (Mammie Bee Ratliff), Nelson L. Ratliff (Clarene), a host of nieces,
nephews, and other relatives and friends. Rev. Ratliff had a Special closeness to his
cousin Evangelist Jean White Reid