Ronald Glenn Ratliff

Posted on March 9, 2021

Ronald Glenn Ratliff passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 4 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

Glenn was a loving and devoted husband of 38 years to Betty and an amazing father to his two beautiful daughters, Terra and Lacey. 

He was born and raised in Perry to M.H. “Buster” and Shirley Ratliff.

He graduated from Taylor County High School in 1975 and then went on to play baseball at Enterprise State Junior College in Enterprise, Ala., and the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Ala.  

After college, Glenn came back to Perry and became the recreation director for the City of Perry for 29 years.

He was heavily committed to the youth of Taylor County. He worked countless hours to make sure every child in Taylor County had the opportunity to play sports – football, baseball, cheerleading, softball, basketball and volleyball — he made sure there were enough sports for everyone to get involved, both young and old.

He was never afraid to get his hands dirty and help wherever he saw fit – dragging baseball fields, mowing football fields, serving in concession stands, umpiring – you name it he did it. 

Along with being recreation director came the duty of overseeing the City Pool, though we are not sure you could really consider that work. He loved his lifeguard crews and had the best time cutting up with them and as he put it “helping to raise them.” 

Glenn retired in 2018 with plans to hunt, fish, play golf and “piddle around” from then on. If you know Glenn, then you know that didn’t last long.  He went back to work part-time a year later as a substitute PE teacher at Taylor County High School, where he had the opportunity to influence yet another generation of kids. 

Glenn was an avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and fish. He also loved playing softball and golf.

He was a member of Crosspoint Baptist Church. He was a bright light that beamed wherever he went. Always smiling, full of laughter, joy, jokes and fun. He impacted so many lives in our community and will be missed by many.

Glenn was preceded in death by: his mother, Shirley Lawson Ratliff; his maternal grandparents, A.L. and Dollie Mae Lawson; and his paternal grandparents, Marvin and Irean Ratliff.

He is survived by: his loving wife, Betty; his two daughters, Terra (Blake) and Lacey (Mark); his father, M.H. “Buster” Ratliff; three brothers, Hardee (Sharon), Sebe (Cindy) and Bruce (Donna) Ratliff; his mother-in-law, Polly Kincaid; two brothers-in-law, Troy Thompson (Wanda) and Billy Thompson (Samantha); two aunts, Vonney Dale (Terry) and Peggy Hunter; two uncles, Tommy Ratliff and Sonny Lawson (Sheila); and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Monday, March 8, at 3:30 p.m. at Dorsett Stadium with Pastor Eddie Pridgeon and Dr. Bill Jenkins officiating. The family received friends on Sunday, March 7, from 4-6 p.m. at Crosspoint Baptist Church.

All arrangements are under the care of Joe P. Burns Funeral Home of Perry. Friends may sign the online register at joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.