Tootise Marie Ratliff, 72 of Bedford, VA passed away on July 8, 2022. Tootise was born in Welch, WV on July 9, 1949 to the late Herbert Edward Dillon and Madeline Walton Dillon.
Tootise married the love of her life, Edward Lewis Ratliff on June 3, 1967. During her early years she was the Owner of Tootise's Pastry Shop in Welch, WV and Iaeger, WV, where she enjoyed cooking and baking birthday cakes and serving her customers, until she moved to Smith Mountain Lake with her husband, Lewis, in 1991 where she worked at Campers Paradise Marina at Smith Mountain Lake from 1991-2005 when she retired. Tootise was an active member of Women of the Moose #1005 of Bedford Virginia, Liberty Odd Fellows Lodge #288 of Bedford, currently serving as Treasurer, and Chamblissburg Ruritan Club. She attended Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Moneta, VA.
Tootise was a wonderful wife, mom, mom-maw, and great mom-maw. She enjoyed cooking for her family and teaching her children, grand-children and great-grand-children how to cook. She loved helping friends and even strangers, in any way she could. But mostly loved, playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and going to the beach for family vacations.
In addition to her parents, Tootise was preceded in death by: son, Edward Lewis Ratliff, Jr. (Junior), step mother Ann Dillon, sister, Freda Gaye Stout, three brothers Larry Dillon, Herbert Dillon, Jr. and Junior Byrd.
Tootise leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband of 55 years Edward Lewis Ratliff, son, Michael Ray Ratliff and wife Kathy; one Daughter Catherine Phoenix and Matt Baumgardner; two Grandchildren; Christopher Michael Phoenix and Rachel Ann Phoenix both of Bedford, VA; three Great Grand Children: Makenna Noel Gunter Phoenix, Brady Blankenship, and Blake Blankenship all of Bedford, VA; three sisters; Sister Lois Ann (Tubby) and husband Benny Lambert who she considered a brother, Linda Blevins, and Debbie Byrd both of Welch; four Brothers: Jason Byrd Dillon, J.C. Byrd of Welch, Scottie Byrd of Winston-Salem, NC, and Rodney Byrd of White Oak; two Special Aunts, Nellie Greene and Sarah (Connie)Harris (Larry Dick); and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
A service to celebrate Tootise's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2022, at Roselawn Funeral Home in Princeton, WV with Pastor Randall Dority of Premier Pentecostal Holiness Church officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn
Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour.
In lieu of flowers you can make a donation in Tootise's name to: Bedford Women of the Moose #1005 or the Liberty Independent order of Odd Fellows in Bedford, VA. These were two charities that Tootise enjoyed the fellowship and raising money to help those in need in our community.
The family of Tootise Marie Ratliff wishes to express a Special thank you to Ben, Tubby, Anna, Keith, Savanah, Kimmy, Heather, Connie, Larry, Ronnie, Joirdan, and Joey for always being there for them and their mother, especially during this last week.The family also wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Pastor Bruce Cottle and Wife Kathy for your love, friendship and most of all, prayers with momma.
Thank everyone for the calls, text, emails, visits, food, cards…etc., we really appreciate and love each and every one of you.
With Love, Lewis, Mike, Cathy and family