Mr. Ronald Ratliff, 84 of Lake City passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, May 24, 2024, at Haven Hospice.  He was born May 6, 1940, in Jenkins, Letcher County, Kentucky to Henry Ratliff and Elizabeth (Belcher) Ratliff.  He graduated from Jenkins High School in 1959 and earned a BS in Political Science from Berea College in 1963, with a minor in Business Administration.  He then worked as a caseworker for the TN Department of Public Welfare, and in 1966 became the Title V Project Director for a five-county region.  In 1967, he was appointed as County Director for Union County, Tennessee.  In 1973 he earned an MS in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  Following his graduation, he worked as the Director of Social Services for the East Tennessee Chest Disease Hospital, then as a consultant on Appalachian Culture for a professor at the University of TN, and then as Area Team Leader and Psychiatric Social Worker for the Bluegrass West Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board in Frankfurt, KY.  He joined the Veterans Administration in 1979 as a medical social worker and was appointed Chief of Social Work for the Wilmington VA Medical Center, in New Castle County, DE in 1988, where he served until his retirement in 2003.

He was a past member of the National Association of Social Workers, and the American Public Welfare Association.  He was a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and was a Mason to 32nd   degree.  During his career, he achieved many Service and Performance Awards, Certificates of Appreciation, and Special Contribution Awards.  He was a leader in PTSD evaluations with veterans, and was the EAP contact for the employees at the VA.  He was an advocate for the Korean War Veterans Association of Delaware, The American Legion, and for homeless populations in Wilmington, DE. Ron enjoyed working on antique clocks, and refinishing vintage furniture.  He enjoyed playing cards with friends and was a voracious reader.  He enjoyed watching horse racing and baseball.  He was a baptized member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hockessin, DE. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Bertha, Ernest, Lorraine, Thurmon, Donald (identical twin), and Cletus, and by his adopted daughter, Tina Ratliff.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Trull) Ratliff, of Lake City, FL and man's best friend, his constant companion, Jordan B. Feliz.  He is survived by his daughter Karen Ratliff, of Knoxville, TN, his son James Ratliff, of Tampa

Florida; his step-son Greg (Tammy) Horton, of Lake City, FL; his step-daughter, Jerri (Ronnie) Stanley, of KY; and his step-son Chad King, of Dothan, AL.  Ron has eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews with whom he had a close relationship.  He is also survived by many close friends and chosen family members.

The family will have a private ceremony in celebration of Ron's life. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to Haven Hospice,6037 W US Highway 90. Lake City FL 32055. (386)752-9191