Bonnie Ratcliff

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Bonnetta (Bonnie) Ratcliff who stepped into heaven to be reunited with her husband and many other precious loved ones in the early morning hours of February 9, 2025. Bonnie had fought a hard battle against pneumonia along with other health issues and her body was just worn out. Although we are comforted in knowing that she is with the Lord and now walks by His side in perfect health, her passing has left a void her family cannot fill.

Bonnie was born in Pearisburg, VA on December 13, 1948 to the late Wirt and Zenobia (Davis) Ratcliffe. She was blessed to be a part of a big family that included nine older brothers and two sisters. Bonnie is survived by her brother Roger (Brenda) Ratcliffe of Salem, Va and her sister Frances (Billy) Farley of Pearisburg, Va. She is preceded in death by Claude (Myrtle) Ratcliffe, Luther (Sylvia) Ratcliffe, Odell (Mary) Ratcliffe, Budley Ratcliffe, Cecil (Margaret) Ratcliffe, Oakley (Janice) Ratcliffe, Roy (Ellen) Ratcliffe, Tommy (Anita) Ratcliffe, and Sally Ratcliffe Viars.

Bonnie was a devoted mother to Tammy (Marty) Meredith of Pembroke, VA and William (Cheryl) Ratcliff of Pearisburg, VA. She was a second mother to Todd (Pam) Robertson of Christiansburg, VA. She taught them how important it was to love each other and to always have each other’s backs. Her children knew that she would always have their backs and would defend them to the death. They will forever be grateful for her love and support. She took being a mother seriously, and she felt it was her greatest achievement in life. She eagerly volunteered to provide childcare for her own grandchildren and took great pride in her role as Mamaw/Nana. When not raising children, Bonnie spent a little time of her life working in housekeeping at Giles Memorial Hospital. She and her older sister, Sally, were known as the Lucy and Ethel of the team. There are many stories of their antics and the people that worked with them enjoy sharing their stories with the family when opportunity arises to do so.

Bonnie took special joy and pride in her two grandchildren, Cody Ratcliff and Grace Meredith. If you talked to Bonnie at all, you would always hear about how much she loved them and how much she enjoyed being with them and watching them do great things. They were her “heart” and she was not shy about showing that to them or telling that to others. Cody and Grace have been left with no doubts about how much Mamaw/Nana loved them and how proud she was of them because she told them every day.

Bonnie was a genuinely kind person and loved everyone just as they were. She always saw the heart of a person and was careful to not judge someone for their actions. She would do anything for anyone if it was within her power to help, and she would never expect anything in return. Bonnie had so many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors, and each one of them was special to her. Bonnie was often called the “favorite Aunt” or the “fun Aunt” by her family and that’s because she loved everyone unconditionally. She was easy to talk to and she loved to cut up, carry on, and have a good time. Bonnie was absolutely beautiful, inside and out.

Bonnie attended God’s House Church in Pembroke. She enjoyed being with her church family and was looking forward to joining them again in fellowship and worship when her health improved. Bonnie had a great love for her Lord and Savior, and she showed that in her words and actions towards others. She was humble and kind, and an inspiration for others to follow. Bonnie loved her Pastors, David and Kathy Atkinson, and learned so much about the Lord from them. Bonnie wanted everyone at her church to know that she loved them too and looked forward to seeing them soon.

The family would like to recognize a few people who helped to make Bonnie’s life better after losing her beloved husband, Clyde in 2018. Bonnie and Clyde were married for 51 years and Bonnie never got over his death. She coped the best she could and she was strong for her kids and grandkids, but the hole left in heart by her husband’s passing could not be filled. Her days were lonely so the phone calls from her cousin, Darrell Ratcliffe, were a much-needed lift to her day. She enjoyed her chats and outings with her baby sister, Frances, and Bonnie knew she could count on Frances if she needed anything. Bonnie also enjoyed her chats with her brother, Roger, and always wanted to try to get to Salem to visit with him. Her failing health kept her from visiting as much as she wanted to, but she also knew she could count on Roger if she needed anything. Her sister-in-law, Patsy Reynolds of Christiansburg, VA, was also a blessing and Bonnie looked forward to their chats and planned visits when the weather broke. Bonnie’s Pastor, Kathy Atkinson, who visited her at home and at the hospital to pray with her and offer an encouraging word helped her feel connected to the church and to her Lord. A special thank you to Shelby Evans, her niece, who assisted the family in their vigil at Bonnie’s bedside while she was in the hospital. There are many others who touched base with Bonnie and the family wants each one to know that she loved you and appreciated everything you did for her.

The family will receive friends at a time of visitation at God’s House Church, 258 Lebanon Road Pembroke, VA on Friday, February 14, 2025, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Kathy Atkinson officiating. Funeral services will conclude at the Ratcliffe Family Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Clyde.

God’s House church will host family and friends with dinner in the Fellowship Hall following the funeral services. If you would like to provide food, the family requests that you deliver it to the church on Friday, February 14th between 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to be used for the family dinner. A guestbook is available to send condolences to the family by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home are honored to serve the Ratcliff family.