Funeral services will be Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., New Mt. Calvary Christian Center, 6300 Yarbrough Street, Jackson, MS 39209 with burial in Autumn Woods Cemetery, 4000 W. Northside Drive, Jackson, MS 3920 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. II Corinthians 5: 8 Earnest Ratliff was born October 26, 1951 in Jackson, MS, to the late Mother Mary Ratliff. He attended Westside Elementary & Junior High School of Jackson, MS and completed Temple High School in Vicksburg, MS. Upon completing high school he attended Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS. He enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and was a combat Vietnam Veteran and was Honorably Discharged. Earnest joined New Mount Calvary Christian Center in 1991 and years later, he moved to Texas and later fellowshipped with Truevine Missionary Baptist Church in Spring, TX. Later, he moved back to Jackson and reunited with New Mount Calvary and remained devoted until his health declined. He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, six sisters, and one granddaughter. He leaves to cherish his precious memory to his nine children; Vanessa (Cliff) Weaver, Spring, TX; Earnest Delvonnie (Candy) Ratliff, Houston, TX; Tondra Robinson, Spring TX; LaTrena D. (Michael) Taylor, Houston, TX; Jericho Ratliff and friend Katrina Jones and Joshua Ratliff of Jackson, MS; Tracy (Chris) Curtis of Jackson, MS; Nijda Nervis of Houston, TX; and Daisy L. Jones, Grand Prairie, TX; sixteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; three sisters, Corriane Gordan, Eva (Rufus) Warren of Jackson, MS, and Maggie Bolden of Raymond, MS; one brother, Joe Frank (Minnie) Bolden, Terry, MS; one aunt, Lula Bell Thompson, Flint, MI; and Barbara Joyce Ratliff of Jackson, MS. A host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.