Abbie Ratliff

Abbie Lou Burt Curtis Ratliff was born June 1, 1946, to parents Amzi Barial Burt, Sr., and Pinkie Lee Robinson Burt, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Abbie was affectionately known as “Lou” to her family. She was the third of four children born to Amzi Sr. and Pinkie. Siblings Patricia Ann Burt Brown and Amzi B. Burt, Jr., preceded Abbie in death. Baby brother Clarence Burt survives her. The Burt family were long-time, active members of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Bobo, Mississippi. Abbie completed her primary and secondary education in Mississippi, attending Coahoma Agricultural “Aggie” High School and Coahoma Junior College, where she received an Associate’s degree.

In November 1965, at age 19, she married Billie Curtis. They welcomed two daughters, Gwendolyn Holland (spouse Orlando) and Cassandra Cobb (spouse Calvin), during their union. Abbie completed nursing school in Mississippi and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1975. On May 28, 1978, Abbie married the love of her life, John D. Ratliff, and became bonus mom to eight more children: John D. Ratliff Jr., Yvonne Moore (spouse Johnnie), Barbara Robinson (spouse John), Eddie Ratliff (deceased; spouse Jennifer), Anthony Ratliff, Emma Barnes (deceased; spouse Jesse), David Ratliff (spouse Gwen) and Linda Fisher (spouse Jeffery). The family moved from Mississippi to Cleveland, Ohio, in July 1978. Abbie worked as a nurse in various hospitals, nursing homes and private homes for a total of 33 years, usually working at least two jobs to help provide for the family. She excelled at each job and was consistently promoted. Abbie’s patients, coworkers, staff and clients were the beneficiaries of her compassionate and prayerful care and supervision. She retired from nursing in 2008. After retiring, Abbie began taking correspondence courses from Chicagoland Christian Center Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois, and later received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biblical Counseling. Abbie was an ordained Elder who loved to teach about the heart of God. Abbie’s daughters often express gratitude that introducing them to God was the very best thing she did for them.

Abbie loved, studied and wielded the Word of God and often said, “It’s the Word that’s gonna do the work!” She was a prayer warrior, intercessor, dreamer and seer, always praying for the current generations and “every generation to come.” What was important to God was important to Abbie. She would often be up praying for hours in the middle of the night because God said get up and she obeyed. Anointing oil is all over the family pictures in their home, as she anointed and prayed for everyone over the years. Truly, her price is far above rubies! Abbie was called from labor to reward on January 23, 2025. In addition to her husband, children and brother, Abbie leaves to cherish her memory the grandchildren who lived with Abbie and John for a time, Derrick Moore, Christian Pride and Corey Coleman, special friend and forever-sister-in-love Gwen Burt, and a host of other beloved grandchildren, relatives and friends.

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