Memorial to David
David Alvin Ratliff
David Alvin Ratliff, age 33, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at his home. David was preceded in death by paternal grandfather Jack Ratliff, maternal grandparents Jim and Louise Whitt, precious sister-in-law Julie Whitt, and special aunt "Freda", and pet dog "Wilbur".
David is survived his parents Jackie and Mary Caroline Whitt Ratliff, grandmother, Lib Ratliff, one sister and her husband Cindi and Billy Joe Testerman, nieces Sarah and Lacie all of Chilhowie. One brother, Matt Whitt of Marion, best friends Jason Jackson and Chuck McNiel and special cousin Tommy Campbell. Also survived by aunt Geneva Brown, aunt Wanda Whitt, aunt Kim Campbell, uncle Tom Campbell, aunt Peggy Carwile, uncle Elwood Carwile, and uncle Edgar Cress.
David was a 1994 graduate of Chilhowie High School and attended Virginia Highlands Community College. He had worked at Sears in Bristol and was a natural born salesman.
David was a very compassionate man. He loved to fish, golf, write poetry, loved all sports, and was a Raiders fan.
The family will receive visitation on Sunday, January 31, from 2pm to 4pm at Williams Funeral Home in Chilhowie. Funeral services will begin at 4pm at Williams Funeral Home with Pastor L. W. Carter presiding and special speaker and friend Pastor Chuck Herrell. Singing will be by Ginger and Greg Sheets. A Memorial Dinner will follow at the Church of God in Friendly Circle, Marion, VA.
Graveside services will be held at St. James Lutheran Church in Chilhowie, VA at 11am, Monday, February 1.
David is survived his parents Jackie and Mary Caroline Whitt Ratliff, grandmother, Lib Ratliff, one sister and her husband Cindi and Billy Joe Testerman, nieces Sarah and Lacie all of Chilhowie. One brother, Matt Whitt of Marion, best friends Jason Jackson and Chuck McNiel and special cousin Tommy Campbell. Also survived by aunt Geneva Brown, aunt Wanda Whitt, aunt Kim Campbell, uncle Tom Campbell, aunt Peggy Carwile, uncle Elwood Carwile, and uncle Edgar Cress.
David was a 1994 graduate of Chilhowie High School and attended Virginia Highlands Community College. He had worked at Sears in Bristol and was a natural born salesman.
David was a very compassionate man. He loved to fish, golf, write poetry, loved all sports, and was a Raiders fan.
The family will receive visitation on Sunday, January 31, from 2pm to 4pm at Williams Funeral Home in Chilhowie. Funeral services will begin at 4pm at Williams Funeral Home with Pastor L. W. Carter presiding and special speaker and friend Pastor Chuck Herrell. Singing will be by Ginger and Greg Sheets. A Memorial Dinner will follow at the Church of God in Friendly Circle, Marion, VA.
Graveside services will be held at St. James Lutheran Church in Chilhowie, VA at 11am, Monday, February 1.
To go to Bristol Newspaper's obituary and leave condolences, go to http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tricities/obituary.aspx?n=david-ratliff&pid=139051114.
To leave condolences or a story here about how David touched your life, click on "condolences" under the picture of the cross above, and on the next page, click "comments".
If you'd like to email me a story, a picture, or anything at all about David, my family and I would greatly appreciate it. My email is [email protected].
To leave condolences or a story here about how David touched your life, click on "condolences" under the picture of the cross above, and on the next page, click "comments".
If you'd like to email me a story, a picture, or anything at all about David, my family and I would greatly appreciate it. My email is [email protected].
From David to You
From David To You
(based on 1 Corinthians 13)
Love is an emotion all tender and sweet
Love is the teardrop that rolls down your cheek
Love is kind and beareth all things
Love is not boastful nor given in vain
Love is something you seal with a kiss
Love is something you’ll cherish and miss
Love is a feeling you hold close to your heart
Love never fails and the truth it imparts
Love makes me feel happy, It makes me feel blue
It makes me remember what I had with you
Love makes me feel angry, it makes me feel sad
But it endures all things whether good or bad
Love kept us together because it always knew
How much you meant to me and I meant to you
Love is strength to get through the sorrow
Love is holding my memory through all your tomorrows
And if there is one thing I’ll leave here with you
It is to remember forever, “I’ll Always Love You”.
by: Cindy Brewer
(based on 1 Corinthians 13)
Love is an emotion all tender and sweet
Love is the teardrop that rolls down your cheek
Love is kind and beareth all things
Love is not boastful nor given in vain
Love is something you seal with a kiss
Love is something you’ll cherish and miss
Love is a feeling you hold close to your heart
Love never fails and the truth it imparts
Love makes me feel happy, It makes me feel blue
It makes me remember what I had with you
Love makes me feel angry, it makes me feel sad
But it endures all things whether good or bad
Love kept us together because it always knew
How much you meant to me and I meant to you
Love is strength to get through the sorrow
Love is holding my memory through all your tomorrows
And if there is one thing I’ll leave here with you
It is to remember forever, “I’ll Always Love You”.
by: Cindy Brewer
Photo Album. Click a picture to make it bigger.
Whispers in the Wind
by David A. Ratliff
published in the National Library of Poetry
I awake to the sun's smile
The singing of the rain
And the crying of the river
Just to hear the clouds laugh
The singing of the rain
And the crying of the river
Just to hear the clouds laugh
Remember Me
Contributed
YOU SHALL BE MISSED
Contributed
He Only Took My Hand
Last night while I was trying to sleep,
My son’s voice I did hear,
I opened my eyes and looked around,
But he did not appear.
He said, “Mom, you’ve got to listen,
You’ve got to understand,
God didn’t take me away from you,
He only took my hand.
When I called out in pain that day,
The moment that I died,
He reached down and took my hand,
And pulled me to His side.
He pulled me up and saved me
From the misery and pain.
My body was hurt so badly,
I could never be the same.
My search is really over now,
I’ve found happiness within,
All the answers to my empty dreams
And all that might have been.
I love you mom and miss you so,
And I’ll always be nearby.
My body’s gone forever,
But my spirit will never die.
And so, you must all go on now,
And live, and understand…
God did not take me from you,
He only took my hand.”
~Author Unknown
My son’s voice I did hear,
I opened my eyes and looked around,
But he did not appear.
He said, “Mom, you’ve got to listen,
You’ve got to understand,
God didn’t take me away from you,
He only took my hand.
When I called out in pain that day,
The moment that I died,
He reached down and took my hand,
And pulled me to His side.
He pulled me up and saved me
From the misery and pain.
My body was hurt so badly,
I could never be the same.
My search is really over now,
I’ve found happiness within,
All the answers to my empty dreams
And all that might have been.
I love you mom and miss you so,
And I’ll always be nearby.
My body’s gone forever,
But my spirit will never die.
And so, you must all go on now,
And live, and understand…
God did not take me from you,
He only took my hand.”
~Author Unknown
"From David to You" was written and contributed by Cindy Brewer.
If anyone else has ANYTHING they would like to contribute, please email me at [email protected] or mattwhitt@centurylink.net
Pictures, poems, stories, or anything else would be greatly appreciated.
If anyone else has ANYTHING they would like to contribute, please email me at [email protected] or mattwhitt@centurylink.net
Pictures, poems, stories, or anything else would be greatly appreciated.
Please click "Condolences" at the top of the page under the picture of the cross to leave a message about how David touched your life.
