Ratliff, Robert Barns

Robert Barns Ratliff, 86, of Westwood Medical Park in Bluefield, Va., and formerly of Narrows, died on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at Westwood Center. Born on April 5, 1924, in Bluefield, W.Va., he was the son of the late Thomas Barnes Ratliff and Clarice Holtz Ratliff.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific Theater of Operations as a member of the Army Air Corps. He worked for Appalachian Power Company at their power plant in Glen Lyn, Va., where he served in various capacities prior to retiring as the Plant Manager in 1983. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Narrows, Va., where he served on numerous committees.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary Simpson Ratliff; and his sister, Betty Lee Brewster. Survivors include his sons, Robert Barns Ratliff Jr. and wife, Marsha, of Wilmington, N.C., and Gary Thomas Ratliff and wife, Cheryl, of Huntsville, Ala.; daughters, Jan Ratliff Berry and husband, Joe, of Bluefield, W.Va., and Julia Ratliff Montee and husband, Mark, of Warner Robins, Ga. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Lori Ratliff Lewis and husband, Lou, Heather Ratliff Hughes and husband, Cameron, and Robert Barns Ratliff III, all of Wilmington, N.C., Cristie Berry Wagner and husband, Joe, of DuQuoin, Ill., Joe Berry Jr. and wife, Kelli, of Morgantown, W.Va., Hope Pennington Cotes, of Whittier, N.C., Ashley Pennington Tripp and husband, David, of Franklin, N.C., Blake Ratliff, of Roanoke, Va., and Jon Porter and wife, Gina, of Hendersonville, N.C.; 13 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and his very special caregiver and friend, Patty Davidson.

Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2011, in the chapel of Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows with the Rev. Christopher J. Brown officiating. Entombment will follow in Birchlawn Abbey in Pearisburg with Full Military Rites conducted by VFW Post #6000 of Narrows, American Legion Posts #68 of Narrows, #311 of Pembroke and #145 of Peterstown. The family will receive friends at Riffe’s Funeral Chapel 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2011, until just prior to the service.

The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider First United Methodist Church; P.O. Box 398; Narrows, VA 24124.

Online condolence messages to the family can be sent to www.riffes.com.