CLAUDE FRANKLIN RATLIFF, 90 years of age of Grundy, VA, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at the Buchanan General Hospital following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late John Henry and America Virginia Hackney Ratliff. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a lifelong devoted member and elder of the Grundy Church of Christ. Mr. Ratliff served his country in the United States Army during World War II, as did three of his brothers, and an all total combined military service of 40+ years. Following his military service, Mr. Ratliff worked in the coal industry both as a coal truck driver and later in the Vansant shaft mine.

Mr. Ratliff was preceded in death by his wife, Nora Janitene McClanahan Ratliff, April 21, 2000

He is survived by 1-Daughter: Glenna Godsey, Gatlinburg, TN, 1-Sister: Jessie Ratliff Gentry, Benton, LA, 1-Brother: Elmer Ratliff (Ssgt, U.S. Army, Retired), Hodgenville, KY, 2-Granddaughters: Amestia Sharp and husband Cornelius, Gatlinburg, TN, Amanda McCracken and fiancé Justin Childress, Princeton, WV, 1-Great-Granddaughter: Madison Nelson, Gatlinburg, TN

Also, survived by many nieces and nephews including Lanthia (Ratliff) Perkins of Grundy, Kenny Ratliff of Grundy, Sue Gentry of Atlanta, GA, and numerous others. During Mr. Ratliff’s final years, several devoted, caring, and loving friends provided endless unselfish acts of love and care, including Joann Lee, Tim Elswick and Debbie Lester, all in the Grundy vicinity – to them the family of Claude Ratliff will be eternally grateful.

He was preceded in death by 2-Sisters: Etta Ratliff Cook and Oweda Ratliff Davis; 7-Brothers: Agie, Gallie, Clarence, John, Burton, Ken and Ron Keith Ratliff.

Funeral Services for CLAUDE FRANKLIN RATLIFF will be conducted Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. at the Grundy Church of Christ with Evg. Dennis Wimmer and Evg. William L. Neeley officiating with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, VA.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Friday evening at 6:00 P.M. with services at 7:00 P.M.

The body of Mr. Ratliff will be moved to the Grundy Church of Christ Saturday at 12:00 Noon to await the funeral hour at 1:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be the Elders and Deacons of the Grundy Church of Christ.

Full Military Rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of Child’s Gentry Post No. 7360 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.