Alonzie Anthony Ratchford, Jr.

Alonzie was born in Coal Wood, West Virginia, and raised in Bronx, New York. He completed Samuel Gompers High School in New York City. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He attended Towson University; and lived in Cockeysville, Maryland for over 40 years.

Alonzie was the loving husband of Regena Ratchford for 45 years; beloved father of Jessica Ratchford Kyle and her husband Jacob Kyle; caring son of the late Alonzie and Margaret Ratchford; beloved brother of Chris Ratchford, Willie Ratchford, Lloyd Ratchford, Darin Ratchford, Gail Phillips, and Bridget Wells; dear brother-in-law Chardene Ruth Sumlin, Chuck Stevens and his wife Cynthia Stevens, Diane Ford and her husband John Ford, and Debbie Stevens Wright; Son-in-law of Charles Stevens, Sr., and Gerdine Carlton Stevens; also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Alonzie was compassionate, generous, and faithful. He took time to care for and give to others. He was always willing to step up and help others. He played a major role in caring for his mother-in-law and father-in-law and in helping them to re-establish a new home after a devastating fire.

He was a loving and devoted husband and father. He was always there to provide the

encouragement and help that always got the job done. During Covid, when his wife

suffered a major disability, he provided the care and support that enabled a full

recovery.

Alonzie served in the U. S. Navy as a catapult operator on the USS Coral Sea. Following his Navy service, he worked as a machinist, operating and maintaining industrial and robotic systems.

He was a wonder with his hands; he created beautiful gemstone jewelry. He enjoyed acrylic painting and copper tooling. He loved traveling, hiking, biking, playing chess, reading a variety of genre as well as cooking simple and exotic dishes. He also enjoyed dancing, especially ballroom dancing. Additionally. He was very fond of the performing arts.

At Joseph Parrish, Alonzie volunteered as a co-teacher in religious education; and in preparing casseroles to feed the hungry. He also volunteered in the Maryland special Olympics ski program. He coached a young, special Olympian who won a gold medal. His favorite charity was the Maryland Food Bank.

His loving kindness will be missed.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church, 101 Church Lane, Cockeysville, Maryland 21030 Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed in Alonzie’s memory to the Ratchford family and/or the Maryland Food Bank, Baltimore Office, 2200 Halethorpe Farms Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21227.