Ralph Thomas Ratcliff

Ralph Thomas Ratcliff, 91, of Asheville, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at Aston Park HealthCare. A native of Buncombe Co., Ralph was a son of the late L.D. and Maude Cook Ratcliff. He was also preceded in death by sisters Ethel Lankford and Maybel Ratcliff, and by brothers Curtis, Chet, Mack, Hal, Arnold, Donald, Glen and James Ratcliff. Mr. Ratcliff worked for American Enka/BASF, retiring in 1990 after 29 years of service. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and more recently attended Victory Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Betty Ensley Ratcliff; daughter, Carolyn R. Harris; son, Randy T. Ratcliff and wife Janice; and grandchildren, Penny Ann Harris and fiance Jason Pittman, Austin Ratcliff and Alex Ratcliff. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mark Chase officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Grace Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Victory Baptist Church Meals Program and to the staff of Aston Park HealthCare. Flowers are appreciated, or memorials may be made to Victory Baptist Church Meals Program, 80 Olivette Rd., Asheville, NC 28804, or to Brother Wolf, PO Box 8195, Asheville, NC 28814.