Sandra Jane Ratliff

Sandra Jane Ratliff, age 61, passed away at Bristol Hospice House after a long battle with cancer. Sandy was preceded in death by her father Ralph Ratliff, her grandparents Thomas and Hulda Ratliff, brother-in-law, Carl Archer, and Rufus and Eunice Deel. 

She is survived by her mother Nell Ratliff; sisters, Connie Jones and husband Jeff, and Patty Archer; brothers, Tom Ratliff and wife Margaret, and John Ratliff, Sr. and wife Debbie; niece, Irene Braden and Greg; nephew William Ratliff;  great-nephew Tommy Ferguson and great-niece Rachel Ferguson. Other survivors include her special nephew John Ratliff, Jr., and special niece Whitney Jones Ritchie and husband Seth, both of whom were dear to her. The light of her life was her great-nephew Ezra Ritchie, who adored Sandy, and she was joyfully awaiting Harper Ritchie's birth. She also leaves her special friends Cathy Lowe, Neta Farmer, and Cindy Green, and her church family. 

Sandy was most proud of the online ministry she started for her church. Her ministry reached people worldwide. Her faith was strong, and her love for the Lord even stronger. She cherished growing up on the family farm and continued farming throughout her life with her beloved Momma and family. 

Sandy found her passion for community development and became SWVA's advocate for business and economic development, working on projects too numerous to name since 1989. Two projects she was most proud of were the Noon Knowledge Educational series and the Washington County, Va. Business Plan Challenge that she co-developed; they have been ongoing since 2014. 

Sandy was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to the Virginia Tobacco Revitalization and Indemnification Commission, and the Cultural Heritage Foundation. Her most recent community service was the Ballad Health Strong Accountable Care Leadership Council, Round the Mountain, Washington County Chamber of Commerce Board, Opportunity Southwest Virginia and the Clinch River Valley Initiative.

Sandy won numerous awards including Excellence in Business Support, YWCA Tribute to Women, Appalachian Council for Innovation, High Tech in Government, Western Virginia Workforce Development Professional of the Year, and Emerging Power for her work in entrepreneurship. 

Sandy leaves a legacy of service to her church, her family, her profession and most of all the friends she has made and the lives she has changed in her brief time on this earth. Her final words for her friends were "Go Live Your Life.”.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2024, at First Christian Church, 185 Old Jonesboro Rd., Abingdon, VA. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Tom Crise officiating. A private committal service will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024, with Johnny Thomas, Johnny Boyd, Cody Roark, Jerry Music, Walt Harrison, Jim Martin, Charlie Vandyke, and Roy Broyles serving as pallbearers. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Highland Small Business Incubator, Sandy Ratliff fund at 851 French Moore Jr Blvd., Abingdon, VA 24210.

The family of Sandra Ratliff is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory,  Main Street Location, 472 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.