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Jackie J. Ratliff, 79, a resident of Belen, passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2005. Jackie was born in Brownfield, TX in 1925. Her parents passed away when she was 2 years old, leaving her and her sister to be raised by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Snow. As a strikingly beautiful young lady, Jackie met Floyd who was a rising star football player in Sweetwater, TX, and they eloped in 1941. They would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in August of this year. After settling in Gallup, Jackie became actively involved in serving at the First Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School, WMU, and being involved in Mission activities. Jackie worked several years for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Jackie was also very active in the McKinley Chapter #16 of Eastern Stars where she served as Worthy Matron and Grand Representative to California. She was also the Mother Advisor for the C.A. Floyd Chapter # 59 Order of Rainbow Girls. Jackie began working at Richardson's Trading Post after her children finished school, and taught herself to speak conversational Navajo. After Floyd retired from the Santa Fe Railroad, he and Jackie settled in Belen in 1990. Jackie again became active in church activities and taught Sunday School at the First Baptist Church for many years. Jackie's dedication to her church and Missions instilled a desire in her family to serve Christ. Jackie and Floyd have met and made many friends while enjoying daily lunches at the Del Rio Senior Center. Although Jackie claimed needle point as a hobby, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren most of all. She happily traveled many miles to help tend to sick grandkids. As their biggest fan, Jackie worked very hard to attend the concerts, ballgames, and other activities of her grandchildren and as a result, Jackie attended her first college football game this last year. Our sorrow is because of her absence from us, but our joy is in the knowledge she has joined her sister in their place next to God. Left to mourn her passing her husband of 64 years, Floyd Ratliff; her daughter, Jovonna Rainey and husband, Tim of Belen; two sons, F. William Ratliff and wife, Carolyn of Belen and Ronald Dee Ratliff and wife, Vicki of Americus, GA; her grandchildren, Erica Ratliff, Christopher Heath Ratliff, Ben Rainey, Deborah Ratliff, Elizabeth Ratliff, and Jessica Rainey; one great-grandchild, Gerhardt Ratliff; and two nieces, Charla Jo Lee and Jacque Larson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dee and Grace Snow Thorp; and her sister, JoNell McKinley. A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2005 from 10 - 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 400 Becker Ave. Belen, NM with Funeral Services at 11 a.m. to follow the Visitation. There will be a Private Family Burial at Sandia Memory Gardens at a later time. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that Memorial Contributions be made to the First Baptist Church, 400 Becker Ave. Belen, NM or The Boys and Girls Ranch. Arrangements are under the direction of: STRONG-THORNE MORTUARY 1100 Coal Ave. SE 842-8800
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