Dr. Fannie Lee Ratliff was an ambassador for education and an example of excellence! She was born August 28, 1955, to the late Robert Geames Ratliff, Sr., and Eugenia Vauss Ratliff in Anson County, North Carolina. She departed this earthly life for her Heavenly Home April 23, 2021, at Atrium Health-Anson, surrounded by her daughter Jessica, siblings, nieces, and nephews. Dr. Ratliff confessed Christ at an early age and worshipped at Forestville A.M.E. Zion Church, before joining Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Lilesville. During her tenure at Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church, she proudly led the annual black history program and co-led the annual graduation program. Dr. Ratliff was a 1973 graduate of Bowman High School, member of the National Honor Society, and a “Candy Striper”. Nelson Mandela stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” She was ambitious to use education to improve the lives of everyone she encountered, and a regular activity would easily become a teachable moment. Accordingly, she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Health Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a certification in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Fayetteville State University. Dr. Ratliff gracefully served in the following roles: Adjunct instructor, program coordinator, health education coordinator, state health consultant, training and professional development consultant, counselor, lead counselor, assistant principal, director of guidance and counseling and principal. Dr. Ratliff worked with the following agencies: South Piedmont Community College, Anson Regional Medical Services, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Carolina Healthcare Systems-Community Health Institute, and Anson County Schools. Dr. Ratliff gave her resources to the following organizations: March of Dimes, St. Jude’s, Salvation Army, American Cancer Society, Healthy Ansonians 2000, Civitan International, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Linkon Chapter No. 564 Order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall Affiliate of Lilesville, the National Association for the University of Women, and the Sandy Pines North Carolina Chapter of Top Teens of America. Dr. Ratliff earned the following recognitions: Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, National Association of the University Women Doctoral Fellowship, SWORD of Hope Volunteer of the Year, and Five Degrees of the Order of the Eastern Star. Dr. Ratliff enjoyed the following: movie time with her daughter, eating at her Sister Beverly’s home, spending time with nieces and nephews, going to the beach, reading romance novels, and cruising. Dr. Ratliff was preceded in death by her Father-Robert Geames Ratliff, Sr., Mother- Eugenia Vauss Ratliff, Brother-Bobby Ratliff, Sister-Doris Tyson, the Father of her beloved Jessica- Jesse Ingram, and Burnis Sturdivant. Dr. Fannie Lee Ratliff leaves to cherish her loving memories: her daughter, Jessica Ingram of the home; sisters, Alberta Cooper (Wayne) of Wadesboro, NC, Beverly Johnson (Mitchell) and Brenda Bennet (Bobby) of Lilesville, NC, and Wayne Medley of Wadesboro, NC; brothers, Geames Junius (Margaret) Ratliff of Rockingham, Booker Richardson (Linda), Nashville, Tennessee, Gary Kendall of Wadesboro, NC, Larry Kendall of Monroe, NC; one aunt, Beulah Vauss Brooks of Pinehurst, NC; Special Friend Mr. James Harris of Asheboro, NC and a host of friends, cousins, students, and community members.
The Services to Honor the Life, Accomplishments and Legacy of Dr. Ratliff will be on Saturday, May 1, 2021, 2:00pm, in the Chapel of Smith's Funeral Home, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina. Interment will be in the Family Plot of the Forestville AME Zion Church Cemetery, Lilesville, North Carolina.
The public viewing for Dr. Ratliff will be on Friday, April 30, 2021 from 3:30-6:30pm at Smith's Funeral Home, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina.
Friends and family are invited to express your sympathy via donating to the Dr. Fannie Lee Ratliff Scholarship Fund: Dr. Fannie Lee Ratliff Scholarship Fund c/o HOLLA 229 East Main Street, Morven, NC 28119 (drop off donations) Post Office Box 88, Wadesboro, NC 28170 (donations sent via US mail) Phone: 704-851-3144 holla@wadesboro.com
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