Fern Marie Ratcliff

Fern Marie Ratcliff, 84, of Weatherford, passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2016, at Weatherford Regional Medical Center in Weatherford.

Fern was born on March 25, 1931, in Neosho, Missouri.  She was one of five children born to Arnold and Viola Shamblin.  On October 29, 1947, she married Howard Ratcliff and together had six children.  Fern was a homemaker and a pastor’s wife for most of her life.  Her husband, Howard, pastored several churches in New Mexico and Texas.  She was a life-time member of the PTA in Coffeyville, Kansas, and was active in 4H and both the Boy and Girl Scouts.   Fern enjoyed doing crafts including crochet, needle point, making quilts, and cooking.  Most of all, Fern cherished time spent with her family.
Fern is survived by her husband, Howard; children, Janice Elaine (Richard) Clough, H. Duane (Nadine) Ratcliff, Sandra, Joyce (James) Guerrero, Carl Lynn (Kennetha) Ratcliff, and Kurt Wynn (Leta) Ratcliff; and by 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren;  sisters, Dorothy (Haskell) Evanson and Teresa Jean (Ed Wayne) Todd; by her brother, Glen Shamblin; and by her sister-in-law, Bernice Shamblin.
In addition to her parents, Fern was preceded in death by her daughter, Melissa Dawn Ratcliff and by her brother, Bert L. Shamblin.     

Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 A.M., on Friday, January 15, at the North Main Church of God in Weatherford.  
Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M., on Monday, January 18, at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.  Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, January 14, from 6 until 8:00 at Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel, 913 N. Elm Street, in Weatherford.