Hilda Pearl Ratliff of Columbus, Mississippi

August 14, 1924 - July 16, 2020

Hilda Pearl Ratliff, 95,  of Columbus, MS, left this life for her Heavenly home on July 16, 2020 at Baptist Memorial Hospital.  A private, family graveside service will be held Monday, July 20, 2020 at Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Rev. Byron Benson officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory, 2nd Avenue North location.

Mrs. Ratliff was born August 14, 1924 in Sunflower County, MS, to the late Jeff and Alma Jennings Whitten. She was a graduate of Linn High School where she was honored as the Valedictorian of her senior class.  Hilda was married to James E. Ratliff, who passed in 2016.  During their 72 years of marriage, they traveled the world as he served in the United States Air Force, living in 16 different places, including Bermuda and Japan.  Mrs. Ratliff was the Secretary and Treasurer of Ratliff Air Services until her retirement in 1988.

While in Japan she found a love and appreciation for Japanese culture and art.  Hilda was featured in the Commercial Dispatch in 2017 for her collection of Japanese furniture, art and porcelain Geisha dolls that she made by hand during her time there. Hilda  enjoyed playing bridge, bowling and spending time with her friends and family.  She was a proud member of East End Baptist Church.  She listed her greatest accomplishments in life as being a mother and grandmother. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Ratliff was preceded in death by three sisters, Wilna, Mavis and Joyce and one  brother Guyton.

Survivors include her sister, Jean Norrell of Jackson, MS, sons, Bobby Gerald Ratliff of Jackson, MS, Michael James Ratliff of Columbus, MS, granddaughters, Shannon Ratliff Russell and her husband Ted of Walkertown, NC,  Hilary Ratliff Delling and her husband Trevor of Austin, TX, Hannah Ratliff of Cleveland, OH, and Stephanie Ratliff of Jackson, MS, great-grandsons, Luke Russell and Matthew Russell.

Memorials may be made to East End Baptist church, P.O. Box 8480, Columbus, MS, 39705.

Condolences and memories can be sent to the family at [email protected] or P.O. Box 1061 Columbus, MS, 39703.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Sarah Sanders for her endless love and support.