The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.       Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23

 

John Murphy Ratcliff, the son of the late Pastor Henry Alvin Ratcliff and Bernice Sowell Johnson, born on August 20, 1945 in Lufkin, Texas, He departed from this earthly tabernacle on January 20, 2023.

After graduating from Kashmere High School, John served in the United States Army.  He was a soldier in the Vietnam War where he was wounded and cared for behind enemy lines.

John was married to Doris (Brown) Ratcliff, but no children were born to this  union. John spent 14 years living with his niece Hattie Ratcliff in Senatobia, Mississippi before they relocated back to  Houston, Texas in 2018 where he remained with her until his death.

John loved watching classic western movies, geography, world history, automobiles, and telling stories of his travels.

John was preceded in death by both his parents, brother, Timothy Ratcliff, sister, Joyce Ratcliff Peavy, nephew, Derrick Ratcliff, and his beloved great-nephew and niece, Jefferey and Joyce Tekola Ratcliff.

He leaves to cherish to his memories: step-mother, Hattie Ratcliff Denley, brother,  Willie Johnson, nieces, Hattie “Sandy” Ratcliff, Cheryl Ratcliff, Dr. Tonya Peavy, Bernadette Ratcliff, and Anna Ratcliff, nephew, Gary Miles, and a host of other family and friends.