Virginia Byrne Ratliff was involved in a driving accident whiletrying to reach her husband at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VAMedical Center in Jackson following a medical emergency on Feb. 28,2008. Her remains were recovered on Feb. 25, 2011.

Virginia was born in Brookhaven on Oct. 14, 1925. She attendedBrookhaven High School and Virginia Intermont College beforereturning home to marry Charles R. (Ploochie) Ratliff on March 17,1946. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and participatedin several Brookhaven service organizations.

A competitive runner in high school, Virginia proved to be astrong tennis player and golfer during her adult life. She isprobably best remembered for both her love of entertaining -especially during the Christmas season – and her artistic talentswith painting and stained glass.

Throughout her lifetime in Brookhaven, she loved helping peopleand animals in any way she could. As an artist, she producednumerous works, which she loved to share with family and friends.During her 60-plus year marriage to Ploochie, they became known forpresiding over bingo at the Exchange Club Fair and for dressing inmatching attire wherever they went. Her Wal-Mart friends couldalways count on the couple to make a daily visit to collectaluminum cans to raise money for the Brookhaven Animal RescueLeague.

She will be missed by all.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Caby E. Byrne Sr. andMary L. Ford Byrne. Her beloved husband, Charles “Ploochie”Ratliff, died on June 29, 2010. She leaves behind one daughter, Dr.Suzanne Ratliff, of Memphis, Tenn.; her brother, the Rev. Caby E.Byrne Jr., of Clinton; and an abundance of loving extended familymembers.

The family would like to thank the Jefferson County Sheriff’sDepartment and the Brookhaven Police Department, especially leadinvestigator Nolan Jones, for their tireless efforts to resolve thecase of Virginia’s disappearance. They also would like to thank theFirst Baptist Church family, members of the Exchange Club,Brookhaven Funeral Home and countless first responders, volunteers,extended family and friends for their unwavering love and supportduring this difficult three-year period.

A joint memorial service was held for the Ratliffs on July 3,2010.

Virginia will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband ontheir 65th wedding anniversary. This brief service of intermentwill be held on Thursday, March 17, at 4:30 p.m. at Rose HillCemetery. Friends and family members are welcome to gather for theinterment.

The family requests that any memorials be made to the FirstBaptist Church of Brookhaven or to the Brookhaven Animal RescueLeague.