Steve Smiley Ratcliff Jr

Steve Smiley Ratcliff, Jr. went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 29, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born in Lincoln County, MS to Steve and Luna Mae Calcote Ratcliff on October 14, 1937.

Smiley’s family moved to Jackson when he was two years old. He went to school at Duling, Liberty Grove, Bailey, and Central High. He cherished his years at Central High and was proud to be in the Class of 1955. While at Central, he was an athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball. His friends from Central have been a special part of his life over the years.

Smiley attended USM his freshman year of college, transferring to Millsaps his sophomore year. While at Millsaps he met the love of his life in Chemistry Class. He also was an accomplished athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He was honored to be inducted into the Millsaps Sports Hall of Fame. After graduating in 1959, Smiley married Tita Reid and they left for Quantico, VA where Smiley joined an Officers’ Training Program in the Marine Corps and Tita taught school. After completing the training program as a Second Lieutenant they were sent to Camp Lejeune, NC where their children were born.

Smiley has always taken pride in being a Marine. After an honorable discharge in 1962, he taught and coached for a short time at Chastain Junior High in Jackson. He was a well-respected real estate appraiser for nearly 50 years and was proud to have achieved the MAI designation (Member Appraisal Institute).

Smiley loved his family and nobody ever loved their friends the way Smiley did. He was so proud of his two children, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. His parents, his brother Ford, and his grandson Spencer preceded him in death.

In addition to his wife of 65 years, he leaves his daughter Randy Winford (Greg), his son Steve Ratcliff (Holly), his grandchildren Stephanie Johnson (Wesley), Tyler Winford (Mary Claire), Ashley McGlawn (Ryan), Trenton Winford, and Steven Winford (Laura Leigh) and his great-grandchildren Jacob and Luke Johnson, Grayleigh, Bennett, Baker, and Emelise Winford, and Reid, Jack, and Lynlee McGlawn. He has been a member of Christ United Jackson for many years and has enjoyed being a member of the New Yorkers Sunday School Class.

Smiley will be missed by his family and many friends who he loved dearly. He leaves behind a legacy of honesty, hard work, fairness, faith, and love for his country.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, October 2, at Parkway Funeral Home on Highland Colony in Ridgeland, MS. Visitation will be 10:00 – 12:00 with the service at 12:00 and burial following in Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Wesley Biblical Seminary, 1800 County Line Rd., Ridgeland, MS 39157; Wounded Warrior Project, Donor Care Center, P.O. Box 758533, Topeka, Kansas 66675; Christ United Jackson, 6000 Old Canton Rd., Jackson, MS 39211; Gateway Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 3763, Jackson, MS 39207 or to a charity of your choice.