Jearl Ratliff

Jearl Wayne Ratliff left this Earth for his eternal home to meet his Heavenly Father on September 7, 2026 at the age of 84. He was born in Lee County on January 13, 1942 to the late Velmar and Ruby Roper Ratliff and was raised in Nettleton. Jearl was well known for his love of music and saved his milk money to buy his first guitar which he  taught himself to play. He played lead guitar and was the lead singer in several bands over the years with the most recent being “The Ole Timers” where they enjoyed playing at The Tammy Wynette Legacy Center. He loved to sing gospel hymns at church and with his family.

At the age of 18, Jearl joined the Navy and was stationed at Port Lyautey in Morroco, Africa for a year and then was stationed at New Port, Rhode Island. He was a morse code interpreter and sailed around the entire continent of Africa.

Jearl learned several trades throughout the years. He was a radio announcer for WMPA in Aberdeen during the early 1960’s and later WAMY in Amory. He also managed Nita Lake in Itawamba County in the early 1980’s. Jearl worked as a pattern cutter in the area furniture industry and was named Employee of the Month at Townhouse Penthouse. Eventually Jearl retired from Hatley School Cafeteria after 14 years of service at age 81. Jearl was a faithful member of Pearce Chapel Freewill Baptist church in Smithville and loved and knew the Lord as his Savior.

Jearl had a special bond with his father in law, Len Holloway and his sister, Linda Rich. Jearl and Donna kept many children after school throughout the years and he became affectionately known by all as “Papa Jearl”. He was an avid wrestling fan and became known as a friend to many wrestlers. He also loved to stay fit by working out which he began in his younger years and continued working out, even at the age of 84.

Jearl will be greatly missed in his community and by his family but we know we will see him again.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 40 years, Donna Holloway Ratliff, Smithville; daughters, Natalie Moore (Tommy), Okolona, Ramona Odom (Mike), Amory and Mitzi Brown (Vance), Stewart, MS; son, Nathaniel Ratliff, Smithville; grandchildren, China Odom (Andrew Herrington), Hayden Odom, Braxton Brown (Raegan), Kaelan Brown and Skylar Watkins; great grandchildren, Addy Brown and Aubrey Herrington; sister, Linda Rich; father and mother in law Len and Sue Holloway; a host of nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

In addition to his parents, Jearl is preceded in death by his siblings, Dewey, Charles and Lamar Ratliff, Louise Christopher, Laverne Henshaw and Barbara Denson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Cleveland Moffett Funeral Home with Bro. John Johnson and Bro. Drew Gardner officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Pearce Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Larry Flourney, Brandon Hall, Orein Holley, Phillip Collums, Barney Vann and Jim Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be Josh Hathcock, Jimmy Blaylock, Hayden Odom, Mike Odom, Tommy Moore and Andrew Herrington.

Visitation will be held prior to the service on Saturday from 12:30 PM until the service hour at 2:30 PM.