For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Debra Ratliff of Willows died on Sunday, April 28, 2024, while hospitalized in Chico. The middle of three daughters, she was born in Downey, Calif., to William Gordon Reaves and Anna Arleen Reaves on August 14, 1960.
Along with her older sister, Denise Reaves, and younger sister, Diana Reaves, she moved with her mother to Oroville in the early 1970s to live with her grandparents. She entered Oroville High School in 1975 and in her freshman year met the man who would later become her husband.
She graduated from Oroville High in June of 1978, and on August 20, 1978, married John Ratliff. They lived briefly in Biggs, then moved to Willits in 1979.
Deb gave birth to two sons, John III in 1980 and Brian in 1982.
She worked at Chevron and at the medical office of Dr Ted Dawson in Willits and later managed a video store in Ukiah until the family moved back to Oroville in 1994. There, she worked for Robert Rogers, florist, and then for Dr Jeffrey Klink, O.D., until 2004.
In 2003, the family moved to Willows. She went to work at Northern Valley Indian Health, where she was employed until illness forced her to retire in 2023.
She was loved by many who knew her and many who met her through her work and church activities.
She loved singing and music and spending time with friends and family. She was active in her church, particularly with music ministry and vacation Bible school, which were her passions.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, John; son John III (fiancée, Brandee); son Brian; sister Dina (husband, Michael); granddaughters Menolly, Cordelia and Adira; and numerous nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alva and Mamie Smith; mother Arleen Reaves; father William Reaves; and sister Denise Halgren.
A Celebration of Life is planned for 3 p.m. on Friday, May 24, at the Harvest Baptist Church, 1202 Railroad Avenue, Orland.
The Glenn County Observer 