Lola Elizabeth Ratliff

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Lola Elizabeth Ratliff, 96, of Alexandria, VA passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at The Virginian in Fairfax, VA, from natural causes. She passed peacefully and in her sleep. Lola leaves a large and loving family that includes niece; Loretta, great-nieces; Terri and husband Allen, Vicki and husband Larry, nephew; Ed and wife Jo, three step-sons; Jeffrey, Lenny and wife Patty, Eric and wife Connie, six grandchildren; Allison, Michael, Kathryn, Tyler, Jeffrey and wife Stacy, Jennifer and husband Ryan, four great-grandchildren; Chase, Reese, Perry, and Reed, and god-daughter; Valerie. Lola was preceded in death by her parents; Charles & Clara Schilasky, husband; James Ratliff, first husband; Henry Rowe, siblings; Willy and wife Helen, Clara and husband Milton, Margaret and husband Lefty, nieces/ nephew; Wilma, Betty, and Charles, and two beloved dogs; Fluffy & Ginger. Lola was born in Annapolis, MD and grew up in Washington, DC on Capitol Hill where she met many life-long friends and had so many fond memories. She was the youngest of four children to Charles and Clara. Lola attended business college in Washington and started a career with the Federal Government as a clerk-stenographer, working her way up to the title of Personnel Officer, Office of the Secretary. At the time, she advised women entering the work force to, “Set your sights high and work hard to achieve them. And remember that enthusiasm for the work you are doing is essential.” Lola’s career afforded her many travel opportunities which she loved and this spilled over into her personal life where she traveled endlessly with family & friends over the years. She has been just about everywhere, including a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. When asked in recent years where her favorite place was she replied, “home, always home.” Lola met her husband, Jim Ratliff in 1989 at Mount Vernon Country Club, where they were both members. They married on February 7, 1991 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Alexandria, where they were members for many years. They shared trips across country and wintered in the warmth of West Palm Beach, Florida where they enjoyed their favorite pastimes; golf, bridge, and spending time on the beach with friends. Lola and Jim enjoyed many family trips, every summer, to a favorite destination, The Outer Banks of NC, with children and grand-children. Lola was supportive of the INOVA Mt Vernon Ladies Auxiliary for many years, volunteering at a thrift shop which still functions to benefit the hospital, Select Seconds, located in Alexandria, VA. She was always very generous and giving to causes near and dear to her heart. Lola left us and spent New Years Eve 2019 with so many loved ones who have gone before her. She made the most of her time here on this earth and was blessed with amazingly good health, good spirit, great sense of humor, and a radiant complexion until the end. She has left behind many who will miss her and treasure the memories and laughter shared with her. A service in Lola's honor, previously scheduled at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road in Alexandria, VA has been cancelled. Aldersgate, like many churches across the country, will not be holding services of any kind until the COVID-19 Pandemic is under control, as a measure to keep everyone safe and stop the spread of the virus. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lola's memory to Autism Speaks, 1060 State Road, Second Floor, Princeton, NJ. Autism became a cause near and dear to Lola’s heart when one of her grandchildren was diagnosed on the autism spectrum.