Jefferson Goode Ratcliffe, Sr.

Published 4:09 pm Friday, November 22, 2013

Jefferson Goode Ratcliffe, Sr. of Selma, Alabama died on Wednesday November 20, 2013 at the age of 88.

Jeff was born on January 29, 1925 in Selma, Alabama to Edgar Leonidas Ratcliffe and Christine Kilpatrick Ratcliffe. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and two older brothers, Edgar Leonidas Ratcliffe, Jr. and Rufus Kilpatrick Ratcliffe.

Jeff attended Selma public schools and proudly served in the U. S. Army in the south Pacific during World War II and again in the medical service corp. in the 25th Infantry Division during the Korean War.

After graduating from pharmacy school at Auburn University, Jeff worked as a pharmacist and part owner of Pilcher-McBryde Drug Company in Selma until his retirement at age 70. He was a long-time member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where he served numerous terms on its vestry. He was also active in the numerous business and social activities in Selma.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bessie Smith Ratcliffe, a son, Jefferson Goode Ratcliffe, Jr. and wife Leisa Benefield Ratcliffe of Montgomery, AL, a daughter, Jane Ratcliffe Baker and husband James Rufus Baker of Fairhope, AL, and seven grandchildren, Virginia Clayton Ratcliffe, Elizabeth Bradshaw Ratcliffe, and Jennifer Mel Speir of Birmingham, AL, Shelby Adams Thorpe and Connor Charleston Thorpe of Montgomery, AL, and Minna Christine Speir and Meagan Elisabeth Baker of Fairhope, AL.

Funeral services will be held Monday November 25, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Selma, Alabama with the Rev. David Powell officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home Directing. Burial will follow at Live Oak Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. James Alison, Victor Atkins, Miller Childers, Roy Childers, Dr. Clyde Cox, Hans Poulsen, Johnny Russell and Freeman Suttle. Pallbearers will be Robert Gordon, Web Manderson, David Ratcliffe, Alfred Stewart, Jon Stewart and Clint Wilkinson. The family will receive friends in the Parish Hall at St. Paul’s prior to the service from 10:00-10:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Selma, AL or to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Please visit http://www.lawrencebrownservice.com to make online condolences to the family.