Cornelia Ratliff Rathke, (Mrs. E.J.), at 95 years old, passed away March 11, 2019. A native of Drew, Mississippi, she was the daughter of Ruth Bullock Ratliff and Albert Wade Ratliff. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Dale Lawrence Rathke, her husband, Edmann Jacob Rathke and her brother, Barton Wade Ratliff.
Cornelia is survived by her beloved son, Stephen Wade Rathke (Marianna Elizabeth “Beth” Butler), adored grandchildren Chaco Butler Rathke and Dine’ Rathke Butler of New Orleans, as well as her brother Tom Ratliff of Kansas City, MO, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Cornelia graduated from Drew High School and Millsaps College, Jackson, MS, where she met the love of her life Ed Rathke. They later married in New Orleans and she attended University of New Orleans, where she achieved her Masters followed by her Ph.D. at Tulane University. She taught at UNO, Xavier and Delgado Universities, and retired as a professor and administrator at Delgado College.
Her passion for her grandchildren, friends, family and her many accomplishments were manifested in the brilliance of her life well lived. It included her national accreditation as a Master Flower Show Judge, Board of Directors positions at Goodwill Industries, Overture to the Cultural Season, Raintree Services, Women’s Guild, and the New Orleans Opera, while she maintained memberships in the New Orleans Garden Society, Lake Oaks Garden Club, Goodwill Auxiliary, Opera Guild, Longue Vue, New Orleans Museum of Art, Thursday Literary Club, Lagniappe Investment Club, Lakeview Methodist Church, Kappa Delta Sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Sorority, P.E.O. and others.
Graceful, fun and smart, she was in demand for reviews at book clubs and presentations at flower shows, and enjoyed telling stories often with a big laugh. Some of the family's favorite memories included her personal joy in dealing with them, punctuated with family meals and trips, memorable times making pralines, baking jamcake, and gardening with her.
Fondly recalled among her circle of friends are Jacqueline Lothschuetz, Anita Garcia, Rosemary Lamousin, Margie Mielke, Mary Dake, Annie Favorite and many others.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 11 AM. Visitation will begin at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Lake Lawn Park.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18