Obituary for Karen Lynn Ratliff
Karen Lynn Ratliff, 63 of St. Albans died June 26, 2020 at Hubbard Hospice House West, South Charleston.
Karen was a graduate of Sherman High School Class of 1975 in Seth, WV. She was a PMA Coordinator for Electronic Specialty Company in Dunbar, WV. In every job over the years she was a very hard worker, dependable, organized and a natural leader who was not afraid to take charge and make decisions to get any job done. Her work ethic, problem solving abilities and determination to help her employers succeed, often made her the "go to" person in every place she worked. She was always stepping up and doing more than asked, yet in her many successes, she remained extremely humble.
Karen married Ronald T. Ratliff Sr. in Charleston, WV on June 4th, 1980. She was a devoted, faithful and loving wife.
Her love for her husband and his two children was immediate and unconditional. Karen happily accepted the children as her own and putting her own career plans aside, spent several years as a stay at home mom.
Reading stories at bedtime, teaching, loving, and encouraging them every step of the way. An intelligent and creative woman who enjoyed art, music and crafts, she spent many hours drawing and painting murals on their walls, making them costumes and clothes for dress up and instilling creativity in them.
Karen was never too busy to play with them and had no problem being silly alongside them and tried to make everything fun. She always listened to them, comforted and reassured them they were capable of anything and they were definitely loved. She was fiercely protective of them and always made them feel safe.
She loved to garden, quilt and sew and was a skilled artist. She enjoyed the outdoors and camping. She loved antiques and flea markets and thrift stores. She loved animals and cared for many many pets over the years and her dogs were always as important as any friend or family member.
Karen was never afraid to stand up for her beliefs or speak her mind, but she did it with a grace and kindness that is rarely seen. She was open minded, fair and honest with you about everything. She always told you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted to hear and that is what a truly great friend does.
More than anything else though, I believe Karen loved helping others. She truly enjoyed being able to make someone else's life a little better and the smile on your face was the only thing she wanted in return. Her battle with cancer was very long and painfully tough and still, she continued to try to do for others to the very end. All these selfless things are what made her as beautiful inside as she was outside.
She was a believer and her salvation was secured by the blood of her Lord, Jesus Christ and Heaven awaits.
Though she is gone and will be greatly missed, she will never be forgotten and she will be in our thoughts and hearts forever.
She was preceded in death by Mother: Maxine Beulah Kidd Post and
Father: Richard Van Hall and
Step Mother: Maxine Austin Hall.
Surviving Are:
Husband: Ronald T. Ratliff Sr. of St. Albans
Son: Ronald (Michelle) Ratliff Jr. of Troutman, NC
Daughter: Jodi Asbury of Simpsonville, SC
Brothers: Rick Hall of Marmet,
Randall (Connie) Hall of Belle,
Step Father: James Post
Grandchildren: Alex Asbury, Meagan Ratliff, Caleb Ratliff and Sierra Ratliff,
Great Grandson: Braedyn Ratliff
And several nieces, nephews and friends.
Dogs: Sadie and Levi
Granddog: SuzieQ
Funeral will be 1 p.m. Friday July 3, 2020 at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet with Pastor John "J.J." Layne officiating. Entombment will follow in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow. Friends may call 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
Karen was a graduate of Sherman High School Class of 1975 in Seth, WV. She was a PMA Coordinator for Electronic Specialty Company in Dunbar, WV. In every job over the years she was a very hard worker, dependable, organized and a natural leader who was not afraid to take charge and make decisions to get any job done. Her work ethic, problem solving abilities and determination to help her employers succeed, often made her the "go to" person in every place she worked. She was always stepping up and doing more than asked, yet in her many successes, she remained extremely humble.
Karen married Ronald T. Ratliff Sr. in Charleston, WV on June 4th, 1980. She was a devoted, faithful and loving wife.
Her love for her husband and his two children was immediate and unconditional. Karen happily accepted the children as her own and putting her own career plans aside, spent several years as a stay at home mom.
Reading stories at bedtime, teaching, loving, and encouraging them every step of the way. An intelligent and creative woman who enjoyed art, music and crafts, she spent many hours drawing and painting murals on their walls, making them costumes and clothes for dress up and instilling creativity in them.
Karen was never too busy to play with them and had no problem being silly alongside them and tried to make everything fun. She always listened to them, comforted and reassured them they were capable of anything and they were definitely loved. She was fiercely protective of them and always made them feel safe.
She loved to garden, quilt and sew and was a skilled artist. She enjoyed the outdoors and camping. She loved antiques and flea markets and thrift stores. She loved animals and cared for many many pets over the years and her dogs were always as important as any friend or family member.
Karen was never afraid to stand up for her beliefs or speak her mind, but she did it with a grace and kindness that is rarely seen. She was open minded, fair and honest with you about everything. She always told you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted to hear and that is what a truly great friend does.
More than anything else though, I believe Karen loved helping others. She truly enjoyed being able to make someone else's life a little better and the smile on your face was the only thing she wanted in return. Her battle with cancer was very long and painfully tough and still, she continued to try to do for others to the very end. All these selfless things are what made her as beautiful inside as she was outside.
She was a believer and her salvation was secured by the blood of her Lord, Jesus Christ and Heaven awaits.
Though she is gone and will be greatly missed, she will never be forgotten and she will be in our thoughts and hearts forever.
She was preceded in death by Mother: Maxine Beulah Kidd Post and
Father: Richard Van Hall and
Step Mother: Maxine Austin Hall.
Surviving Are:
Husband: Ronald T. Ratliff Sr. of St. Albans
Son: Ronald (Michelle) Ratliff Jr. of Troutman, NC
Daughter: Jodi Asbury of Simpsonville, SC
Brothers: Rick Hall of Marmet,
Randall (Connie) Hall of Belle,
Step Father: James Post
Grandchildren: Alex Asbury, Meagan Ratliff, Caleb Ratliff and Sierra Ratliff,
Great Grandson: Braedyn Ratliff
And several nieces, nephews and friends.
Dogs: Sadie and Levi
Granddog: SuzieQ
Funeral will be 1 p.m. Friday July 3, 2020 at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet with Pastor John "J.J." Layne officiating. Entombment will follow in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow. Friends may call 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home.