Betty Latta Ratcliffe

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Oct. 17, 1925 – Nov. 3, 2012

NATCHEZ — Memorial services for Betty Latta Ratcliffe, 87, of Natchez, who died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at Promise Hospital in Vidalia, after a long illness, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Denny Read officiating.

Burial will be at a later date at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.

Mrs. Ratcliffe was born Oct. 17, 1925, in Dyersburg, Tenn., the daughter of Franklin W. and Ruth Fumbanks Latta. She grew up in Dyersburg and met Charles Everette Ratcliffe Jr. of Natchez at the University of Mississippi. They were married in July 1947, and she resided at Routhland, the Ratcliffe family home, until her death.

After coming to Natchez as a bride, Betty became very involved in a number of community organizations. She was a life member of the Natchez Junior Auxiliary, past president of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and past board member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club. Perhaps her greatest contributions were to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Natchez Chapter, which she served as Regent. She was also on the state board as curator and instrumental in restoring the Rosalie Gardens where the annual balloon race is held each year. She served as bicentennial gardens chairman during that extensive project from 1976 to 1981.

Mrs. Ratcliffe was also an active member of Delta Gamma Sorority serving as city sponsor for 50 years. She also served as president of the Natchez Cowbells, which supported her husband who was engaged in the cattle business. In addition, she was a member of the National Society Magna Charta Dames, an organization of people whose ancestors came to America on the Mayflower.

Mrs. Ratcliffe tried to instill in her grandchildren the importance of history and made each grandchild an extensive book of their genealogy. Her talents were many including completing a tapestry in needlework that is of museum quality, a project that took her a number of years and contains more than a million stitches.

She was a lifelong Presbyterian and attended First Presbyterian Church of Natchez.

Mrs. Ratcliffe was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one sister, Ruth Latta Leow; one brother, Granger Latta; and one grandchild, Melinda Ratcliffe.

Survivors include two sons, Charles Everette Ratcliffe III and wife, Catherine, and Franklin Latta Ratcliffe and wife, Beverly, all of Natchez; five grandchildren, Richard Latta Ratcliffe and wife, Jennifer, Laurie Nicole Barber and husband, Will, all of Jackson, Everette Brantley Ratcliffe and wife, Monica, of Brandon, Wade Weathersby Ratcliffe and wife, Desi, of Hattiesburg and Calvit Alexander Ratcliffe of Nashville, Tenn.; seven great-grandchildren; her twin sister, Jane Latta Little of Dyersburg; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family extends thanks to her caretakers, Mary Sewell, Teresa Cameron and Maxine Washington, as well as long time friends, Freddie Johnson, Ethel Harris, Sara Scott and Willie Jones for their attention at the end of her life and during her life.

The family requests contributions be made to First Presbyterian Church, the Natchez City Cemetery, Trinity Episcopal School or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.