Ben F. Ratliff

Ben F. Ratliff, 79, prominent farmer of Cleveland Co., for more than 60 years, died at the home of his son, the Rev. J. E. Ratliff, at Humphrey, following an illness of three days at 10:30 Sunday night.  He was born at Randall, Cleveland county, on July 29, 1859 and had lived in that section all his life where he was active in farming and civic circles.  He was a member of the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church and a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Martha Jane Ratliff; six sons, W. F. Ratliff of Kedron; J. R. of Pine Bluff; C. N. of Dallas, Texas; the Rev. J. E., B. B., and J. L. Ratliff of Humphrey; five daughters, Mrs. Fanny Dodd, Mrs. Gertrude Williams, and Mrs. Carey Ross of Rison; Mrs. J. A. Beard of Pine Bluff, and Mrs. Minnie Camp of Humphrey, one half brother, Skinner Bridges of Pine Bluff, one half sister, Miss Pant Bridges of PIne Bluff; 63 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; also a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were to be held at 3:30 this afternoon from the Mt. Zion Church conducted by the Rev. Will Winston, pastor of the Sheridan Baptist Church.  Burial will be in Mt. Zion cemetery with funeral arrangements in charge of Holderness-Thornhill Mortuary.  Pallbearers:  N. N. Peak, N. H. Allred, W. L. Horn, Roy Parker, J. T. Barnes, and Frank Coats.

Submitted by Mary L. Brown

Source: Pince Blluff Commercial, Monday 19 Sep 1938, page 2, column 2