Ida Lillian Ratliff, age 104, passed way January 19, 2012. Born January 13, 1908, Lillian was the second of two daughters born to Miller and Eugie May (Stamper) Gallaspy in Union, Mississippi. Lillian's father was a cotton buyer and part-owner of the mercantile. She was raised in the Baptist church, loved the Lord and was sustained by her faith through her whole life.
A history graduate of Judson College in Alabama, she taught school in the little town of Ludlow, Mississippi. A pretty, young school teacher was a local attraction in a small town and she caught the eye of R. H. Ratliff from Houston who was working on his father’s farm. They married during the Depression in 1931, and spent 3 years on the farm before returning to Houston. Lillian was so happy to get back to civilization – life on a farm was lonely.
In 1944 their son Robert was born and was the delight of their lives! When he started high school, Lillian began working and retired as a dietary supervisor at Memorial Hermann hospital. Her beloved R.H. died in 1972, and she filled her retirement years with extensive travel. She toured England, Spain, Egypt, the Holy Land, much of Europe and Canada, and took many trips through the U.S. Her favorite trip was an Alaska cruise with Robert.
Robert married Judy, and Lillian’s family began to grow when granddaughters Lesleigh and Lisa were born, and now there’s great-granddaughter Sydney. They all lived in Austin, but there was nothing better than visiting Granny in Houston, because she fixed fried chicken every Sunday with butter beans from her large garden!
Before moving to Austin in 2003 to be closer to her family, Lillian lived in her Houston home until 1992, then to Clarewood House in Houston, and finally Emeritus in Austin. An unrepentant ‘people person’, she thrived in these retirement communities because of new friends and all those card games! She is remembered for her sparkle and wit, and sweet disposition mixed with a bit of mischief. She has been blessed with fine friends, a deep faith, and a family who always treasured her. Her family has been blessed to have loved her for so many years.
She will be buried in the family plot in Houston, next to her husband and her son.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., January 22, 2010 at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, Texas 78750.
To share your memories of Ida Lillian Ratliff, please visit www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com.
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