1928
2012
Herbert Eugene "Gene" Ratliff, 83, of Decatur, passed away Thursday, November 29, 2012, at Dekalb Regional Hospital. He was born December 16, 1928, in Birmingham. He was retired from General Motors Acceptance Corporation for 35 years and retired from Alabama National Guard after 30 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel Signal Corps USAR. He was a member of Central Baptist Church of Decatur. Gene was a Korean War veteran who served from 1951 to 1952 with the 1343rd Engineer Combat Batallion Decatur National Guard. He was an active member of Shorty's Boys of Decatur High School. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Carolyn Cowan Ratliff; parents, Thomas and Pauline Ratliff; and brother, Thomas Ratliff Jr.
Funeral services will be Monday, December 3, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Pat McFadden officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery in Hanceville.
Survivors include one daughter, Deborah Ratliff Bates (Phil) of Fort Payne; one sister, Peggy Ratliff Craft of Birmingham; one granddaughter, Cara Bates Burnett (Ben) of Auburn; one grandson, Judson Philip Bates (Jessica) of Birmingham; and one great-granddaughter, Ellie Parker Gunter.
Pallbearers will be Judson Bates, Ben Burnett, Thomas Craft, Steven Ratliff, Bobby Hestla and Phil Bates. Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Jones, Charles Riley, Robert Lovelady and Don Hoes.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the friends and employees of The Terrace at Priceville. Memorial gifts may be made to Valor Flight, P.O. Box 1353, Madison, AL 35758 and Shorty's Boys Scholarship Fund in care of Charles Riley
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
December 3, 2012
Ginger Freeman Grantham
My mother, Violet, thought the world of Gene. I didn't know him well but I liked him. Family has gotten scattered and we lose track of folks. I remember Gene mostly from visits to Aunt Pauline and Uncle Tom's house at Christmas.
December 2, 2012
My first cousin Gene, along with Bobby, Uncle Robert, and Max Kanady are the main reasons I decided to become a G.I. 26 years ago. Gene always encouraged me to make it a career. I did and have never regretted it. Thank you, Gene, for being a first class role model for a young kid.
William H. Hammond
TSgt, USAF (Retired)
December 2, 2012
A great man and the best commander I ever worked for. Rest in peace, Colonel.
December 1, 2012
So sorry to hear of your loss. My name is Tracy Laverty..My Mom is Sandra Kanady-Stanton. My grandparents were Max & Doris Kanady of Sheffield,Alabama. I remember Gene at many family get-togethers & all the "story" telling he & Grandaddy, Uncle Billy, Uncle Robert..etc and all the others would do! Hugs to u all. God bless.
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Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery741 Danville Road SW, Decatur, AL 35601
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