Judith Antonia Ratcliffe, age 83, passed away peacefully at home on June 4, 2024, holding the hand of her devoted husband. Judy was born on October 24, 1940 in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Stanley and Florence Wasielewski. She wed Bill, the love of her life, in Delaware in 1961. They were married for nearly 63 years and together raised four children, first in Delaware, and eventually moving the family to Mississippi in 1978. Judy was a proud graduate of Elim Bible College, where she met her husband.
Judy lived her life fully devoted to the Lord and to her family. She exuded peace and kindness, and had a special gift for exhortation and encouragement. A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Judy truly exemplified the life of a Proverbs 31 woman. She had a sweet spirit and a kind and giving heart, and spent most of her life in ministry to others. With her husband, she served in mission fields all over the world, sharing the love of Christ.
An incredibly gifted self-taught pianist, Judy blessed countless people over many years with her anointed playing and singing In her later years, she realized a love of and talent for painting. She created many beautiful works of art, which she loved to gift to her family and friends.
Judy is survived by her husband, William H. Ratcliffe, Jr.; children, Stephen (Deanna), Brian (Cindy), Lorraine (Greg), and Carolyn (Tim); grandchildren, Matt Fagan (Valerie), Jessi Monts, Amanda (Chris) Graves, Meagan Ratcliffe, Olivia Johnson, and Jacob Ratcliffe; and greatgrandchildren, Lane, Carley, Bentley, Hope, Wyatt, Hunter, Warren, and Hayes. She is also survived by her six brothers, Stanley (Julia), Fred, Charles (Margaret), Frank (Lois), Art (Donna), and Paul (Stacey); sisters-in-law Bea Ratcliffe and Cheryl Ratcliffe; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Florence Wasielewski; her grandson, Brian Thomas Ratcliffe, II; her sisters-in-law, Patricia Wasielewski and Marie Wasielewski; and her brother-in-law, Thomas K. Ratcliffe.
Judy left a legacy to her family of God’s amazing love and grace, and was a beautiful example to all who knew her.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Crossgates Church in Brandon, Mississippi, and the celebration of life service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl, Mississippi immediately following the service.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Baptist Hospice for their kindness and care shown to Judy during her illness.
