Services for Ovelia Ratcliff, of Wesson, will be held at 2 p.m.on Thursday, June 5, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with burial in thechurch cemetery. Her grandson, the Rev. Jonathan Ivy, and hergrandson-in-law, the Rev. Brandon McLain, will officiate. SunsetFuneral Home of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Brookhaven Funeral Home arein charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be held at the church beginning one hour priorto the service.

Mrs. Ratcliff, 93, died June 2, 2008, at Hospice of West Alabamain Tuscaloosa. Born Ada Ovelia Lofton on July 21, 1914, she was thedaughter of Judson and Isaphine Lofton. She married Rance Ratcliffon June 20, 1931. They were married for 62 years until Mr.Ratcliff’s death in 1993.

She was a homemaker and avid gardener. She was also anaccomplished seamstress and quilter. Mrs. Ratcliff was a lifelongmember of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday Schoolfor more than 40 years and sang alto in the adult choir. Sheespecially enjoyed baking pies and cakes for her family andfriends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; three brothers, PoleyLofton, Anderson Lofton and Robert (Bob) Lofton; three sisters,Wilena Wactor, Hazel Smith and Frances Adams; and a son-in-law,Donovan Ivy.

Survivors are her two sons and their spouses, Wilroy and KathrynRatcliff, of Laurel, and Scott and Judy Ratcliff, of Petal; herdaughter, Virginia Ivy, of Tuscaloosa; seven grandchildren andtheir spouses, Rebecca and Howard Patrick of Ellisville, AnthonyIvy of Tuscaloosa, Roy and Leshia Ratcliff of Mobile, Ala.,Jonathan and Melissa Ivy of Tuscaloosa, Bruce and Belinda Ratcliffof Columbia, Rachel and Brandon McLain of Hattiesburg, and ReaganRatcliff of Petal; and eight great-grandchildren, Wil and WesRatcliff of Mobile, Rease Patrick of Ellisville, Meredith andMallory Ratcliff of Columbia, Caleb and Abby Kate Ivy ofTuscaloosa, and Matthew McLain of Hattiesburg.

Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be madeto Hospice of West Alabama or to your church or favoritecharity.