MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Perkins
A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS, COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. SARAH PAYTON RATLIFF, AND EXPRESSING SINCERE SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.
WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Sarah Payton Ratliff, to eternal rest, as she has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, the Greenwood Community lost a wonderful friend and community icon on Saturday, March 8, 2014, with the passing of Mrs. Ratliff, a matriarch of her family and a selfless imparter of life and light who was born on June 5, 1923, in Carroll County to her late parents, Harry and Sarah Anderson Payton, the second oldest of seven children; and
WHEREAS, a God-fearing Christian before all other roles she assumed, a devoted wife and nurturing mother next, and always community champion, Mrs. Ratliff was the living embodiment of a woman of Proverbs 31:10 distinction and possessing the ambitious spirit akin to that of King David, she was a woman after God's own heart; and
WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to the building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of her life by the Great Deity, Mrs. Ratliff's heart was pierced by the love, chivalry and affection of Mr. Arother Ratliff, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony in 1947; and
WHEREAS, devoted to education and community service, she was a former teacher with Mississippi Action for Progress, Inc., of Greenwood, Mississippi, and was a active member of the American Legion Hut Post #200, the Ladies Auxiliary-VFW and a member of the Greenwood Voter's League; and
WHEREAS, one who relied heavily on her faith, Mrs. Ratliff confessed her belief in Christ at an early age at the Ellingdale Church, and remained devout in her Christian service and patronage throughout her life, reflecting her passion for God through her commitment to assisting others and her Christ-like care and concern for the building of the kingdom, an allegiance which she continued to manifest as a member of the Bethel Christian Church of Blackhawk, Mississippi, and later as a member of Mt. Arratt Missionary Baptist Church, where she diligently served as a member of the Mother Board and Secretary of the Usher Board, which enabled her to serve as a member of the City-Wide Ushers; and
WHEREAS, though she has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon her arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mrs. Ratliff's memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: daughter, Ethel Lee Ratliff; grandchildren, Latotoch Ratliff, Angelo Greene, Jr., and Enjelay Greene; eight great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law; and a host of other family and friends; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such a remarkably nurturing individual such as Mrs. Ratliff, whose life's light was an impassioned beacon of inspiration to all:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss, commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Sarah Payton Ratliff, and express sincere sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Sarah Payton Ratliff and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.