George Ratliff

George L. Ratliff, 87, of Waco, passed away Monday, March 3, 2014. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 7, at the First United Methodist Church of Waco with Rev. Su Milam and Rev. Mark DeVito officiating. Private burial will follow in Waco Memorial Park.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard.

George was born in Hollis, Okla., to Tom and Essie (Copeland) Ratliff. He married Genevie Traudt in Weatherford, Okla. on May 26, 1949. George was a WWII veteran who served in the Army Air Corps.

Afterwards he attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University, graduating with a degree in music and education. He went into full time ministry in 1968, focusing on music and youth. In 1978, he and his wife joined the staff of the Methodist Children’s Home, retiring in November 2011. They received the Coalition of Residential Education Award in 2009 and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Methodist Children’s Home Alumni Association in 2012.

George was an active member of the Baylor Senior Adult Choir and the Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church of Waco.

George was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Fred Baker.

He is survived by his wife, Genevie; three daughters, Vicki DeVito and husband, Mark of Charlotte, North Carolina, Teresa Ratliff of Katy, and Rhonda Girard and husband, Steve of Richmond, Va.; grandchildren, Lydia Stokes (Aaron Stokes), Andrew DeVito (Heidi DeVito), James DeVito, Jordan Hazelwood (Harmon Hazelwood), Mason Girard; and six great grandchildren.

He is also survived by four siblings, Charlie Ratliff and wife, Donnie; Tommie Scott; Sonya Cummins and husband Dickie; and Shirley Baker.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Avenue, Waco, TX 76708.