Rita Rae Sanford Ratcliff

Rita will be lovingly remembered by her son, Steve Ratcliff (Debbie), daughter, Janet Ratcliff Brown (Sonny), sister, Sammye Sanford Sessions; grandchildren Richard Brown (Julia), Jamie Brown, Melanie Brown (Luis Grijalva), Stephen Ratcliff (Summer), Christie Ratcliff Short (James), Marcie Ratcliff Thames (Damon); great-grandchildren, Taylor, Lauren, Austin and Zada Brown, Ava and Taylor Moore, Pierce and Ellison Hamblin, Sonny Grijalva, Fischer Ratcliff, Hunter, Garrett and Tanner Short, Micah, Claire and Paul Thames; nephews, Shannon Yarbrough (Sal Duarte), Branden Yarbrough and niece, Stacey Yarbrough; grand-nephew, Cody Johnson (Hannah) and Dylan Yarbrough, and grand nieces, McKensey Johnson, Addisyn Nilsen and Allison Yarbrough. As well as a special family friend, Pennie June Roberts. Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Ernest Gordon Ratcliff, 8 years ago, and her Parents Harry E. and Neta Richards Sanford.

Rita was born in Bronte, Texas and raised in Wingate, Texas. At 14 years old, she and her family relocated to Ville Platte, Louisiana for her father’s job with Continental Oil Company. In 1945, she married her high school sweetheart, Ernest Gordon Ratcliff, just months before he deployed to Japan during WWII as a U.S. Marine. Upon Ernest’s return, the couple moved to Kermit, Texas, where Ernest began his career in the oil industry. After their short stint in West Texas, they relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana and Rita fulfilled her dream of becoming a housewife and mother; first to Steve, and later to Janet. Ten years later, the family was transferred to Lafayette, Louisiana where they remained for 20 years. In her mid-40’s Rita and Ernest moved to Gist, Texas, where she embarked on a new chapter in what ended up being a 20-year career in sales at Olan Mills photography studio. Rita had the “gift-of-gab,” and a genuine interest in people that made her a natural saleswoman. Rita and Ernest eventually retired and moved to Montgomery, Texas where they remained until her final days. Regardless of where they lived, Rita could always be found in the kitchen. Cooking (and baking, in particular) was Rita’s true passion and something she enjoyed sharing with family, friends, and neighbors. She especially loved hosting holiday dinners. Rita loved her Heavenly Father and also loved singing, and for many years sang in the church choir. She was a long-time member of Honea Baptist Church.

As her children grew up and started families of their own, Rita became “Nonnie” to her grandchildren, nieces and nephews (although her sister Sammye came up with the name as a child). Even their friends called her Nonnie! She was the fun “granny” who told good stories (and sometimes irreverent jokes), loved to play cards and visit until all hours of the night. She was an avid video game player before gaming became a sport (and was quite possibly the world’s greatest Pac Man player), and an expert whistler (you could tell it was Nonnie just by the sound!). She had a knack for making anyone and everyone feel comfortable and welcome in her home. She would always say, “I love all of my kids, and they’re all my favorite.” One of Nonnie’s best qualities was her ability to deal with change – and what change she lived through in her nearly 100 years of life! No matter what the circumstances, Nonnie’s door was always open. Her family will remember her most for the immense love she offered to those around her, her home cooked meals and her quirky sayings (“she was meaner than a polecat and twice as nasty!” or “that’s as fake as $3 bill”). And, her friends will remember her singing “Rancho Grande” until her last days. She truly was one of a kind.

A funeral service will be held at Cashner Funeral Home (801 Teas Rd.) in Conroe on Saturday, January 20th at 2pm, and graveside service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery (10410 Veterans Memorial Dr) in Houston on Monday, January 22nd at 10am.