J. Arthur Ratliff

J. Arthur Ratliff, 84, a resident of 255 Windy Knoll Drive, Harrisonburg, died July 6, 2003, at Harrisonburg Health and Rehabilitation Center, where he had been a patient for several days.

Mr. Ratliff was born on Jan. 24, 1919, in Mozer, W.Va., and was the son of the late Perry M. and Lena Kesner Ratliff.

He was a carpenter and worked for Lough Brothers. He was a member of the South Mill Creek Church of the Brethren in Upper Tract, W.Va. and attended West Side Baptist Church.

On Nov. 20, 1942, he married the former Elva Hedrick, who survives.

Also surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Wilma and Philip E. "Phil" Davis, Harrisonburg; two grandsons, Michael A. Davis and wife, Donna, and their children, Philip B. and Zachary Davis, Harrisonburg; Brian E. and wife, Patricia, and their children, Taylor and Tucker Davis, Harrisonburg; one brother, Homer Ratliff, Baltimore; five sisters, Ersley Whetzel and Hazel Simmons, both of Franklin, W.Va., Vada Mallow, Upper Tract, W.Va., Nancy Mongold, Rough Run, W.Va., and Genevieve May, Arthur, W.Va.

Mr. Ratliff was preceded in death by three brothers, Chaney, Olin and Glenn Ratliff and a sister, Ethel Alt.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the McMullen Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Charles P. Anderson Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. Friends may also call at the Davis home, 950 South Dogwood Drive, Harrisonburg, or at the McMullen Funeral Home at any time.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Bible Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1857, Harrisonburg, Va., 22801 or the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1477, Harrisonburg, Va., 22801.