Funeral services for Kathryn Ratliff, 98, of Purcell were held Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed at the Ceres Cemetery in Ceres, Oklahoma, under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
Mrs. Ratliff passed away on February 15, 2024.
Kathryn Lorraine Copeland was born to Andrew Jackson Copeland and Emma Myrtle Copeland on September 18, 1925 near Sallisaw, Oklahoma, at Wild Horse Mountain.
As a young girl, Kathryn moved to Mineral Springs, Arkansas, to be closer to her grandparents. She grew up there, attended school and graduated with the Hornet class of 1943. While in school she played basketball, and was known for climbing magnolia trees and playing outside, which earned her the nickname “Tommie.”
For a brief time, Kathryn and her mother worked in Ypsilanti, Michigan as “Rosie the Riveters” aiding in airplane manufacturing during the war effort. She moved back to Oklahoma to attend business school in the city.
Shortly after finishing the program, she married the love of her life Alfred Keith Ratliff on May 22, 1945 while he was on leave from the military. The young couple made their home in Ponca City, where Kathryn worked for the Savings and Loan until retiring in 1977. She went into real estate after retiring and enjoyed the work wherever it took her. Kathryn and Alfred also made their home in Heavener and McAlester. Kathryn finally settled in Purcell in 2009.
When she wasn’t working Kathryn enjoyed listening to music and playing piano. No matter where home was, she was always a member of the local First Baptist Church and loved worshipping and having fellowship with friends and neighbors. She was proud of her Cherokee heritage and always enjoyed sharing wisdom imparted to her from her elders. Kathryn was a cherished mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Copeland and Emma Copeland; her husband of 53 years, Alfred Ratliff; her brother, Jack Nolan Copeland and her great-granddaughter, Claire Ratliff.
Kathryn is survived by her sons, Don Ratliff and wife, Charla, of Purcell and Rick Ratliff of Norman; her grandchildren, Russell Ratliff and wife, Mandy, of Wichita Falls, Texas, Shanae Hilgenfeld and husband, Blake, of Norman, Sean Ratliff and wife, Kati, of Moore and Rachel Ratliff and Sarah Ratliff, both of Newalla. She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren, Hope, Molly, Davis, Kathryn, Hazel and Henry.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the First Baptist Church Purcell Mission Fund or The Lottie Moon Fund at Bethel Baptist Church in Norman.
Online condolences may be made at wilsonlittle.com.
