Annabelle Ratliff

Annabelle Erma Ratliff, 105, of Locust Grove, went to her heavenly home on February 10, 2022, in Tahlequah. She was born on August 26, 1916, in Blanchard, Oklahoma; the daughter of George A. Stevens and Cora Ellen (Brannon) Stevens. During the World War II, Annabelle engraved guns and knives. She also worked in an airplane factory during that time. She married the love of her life, Marvin Ratliff, on May 17, 1940, in Dibble, Oklahoma. Together, they had 2 children: Linda and Ray. Annabelle and Marvin spent nearly 58 years together until his passing in 1998. She was a wonderful seamstress and sewed her grandchildren’s dresses for pageants. Annabelle never missed an opportunity to take her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to the creek. She was a housewife and enjoyed watching OKC thunder, OU football and cooking for her family. Annabelle was a member of the First Baptist Church in Locust Grove and enjoyed being a part of her church family. Many would describe Annabelle as onery, had a passion for telling jokes and always had a smile on her face. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who lived a life of strength, endurance and determination which leaves a legacy for all to cherish.

Graveside services for Annabelle will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at Hogan Cemetery in Locust Grove, Oklahoma with Pastor Edna Kiddy and Pastor Bill Holcomb officiating. Come and go visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, February 14, 2022, at Shipman’s Funeral Home. To leave her family a message, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service.

Annabelle is survived by her daughter, Linda Foreman and husband Robert of Locust Grove; grandchildren, Crystal Ratliff of Pryor, Robyn Franken and husband Mark of Stilwell, KS, Kara Gibson and husband Shawn of Locust Grove, and Sheila Gee; great grandchildren, Blake Gibson, Chase Franken, and Alexa Franken; and countless friends that loved her dearly including her extended family at the Cherokee County Nursing Center who loved and cared for her like their own family. She had her “favorites” and wasn’t shy about it. Their genuine love and unwavering care are greatly appreciated by the family. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Cora; husband, Marvin; and son, Ray.