Frances Elizabeth White Ratliff, 87, of Midland, Texas went to her heavenly home on Thursday, January 3, 2019. The family will receive friends Monday, January 7, 2019 from 2:00-4:00pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm, Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church in Midland.Frances was born October 27, 1931 to Howard Milton White and Mary Magro White in Mineral Wells, Texas. She attended school in Mineral Wells, Texas until 5th grade and her family moved to a farm in Parker County. She attended school there until finishing 6th grade. Her family then moved to the old Magro farm in Waco. She attended school in Waco, Texas and graduated from La Vega High School in 1949. She later attended Arlington State College when her family moved to Dallas. Frances graduated from Texas Tech University in 1953, with a Home Economics and Family Living degree. She taught school one year in Garden City, Texas and met and married Derwood Ratliff. They moved to Midland where he worked as a geologist for RS Anderson and later for TXL Oil Co. He also worked as an independent for many years. Their daughter, Roxane Strickling, was born in 1955. Frances returned to teaching in 1957 and continued to teach for 31 years, retiring in 1988.Derwood and Frances spent time traveling and she volunteered in schools where her grandchildren were enrolled. Frances spent several years as a volunteer at Manor Park, as well as many other non-profit groups. She was a longtime member and officer of Midland Woman’s Club, The Book Review Unit, and Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church for 60 years. A beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she enjoyed spending most of her time with her family.Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Derwood Ratliff, in March 2011, her parents and a sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Arthur Brooks of Dallas.She is survived by her daughter, Roxane, and son- in-law, Ben Strickling of Midland, three grandchildren, Alexis Anne Strickling Horner and her husband Jason, and great grandsons Jake Michael and Ryan Benjamin of Dallas, grandson Kelly Michael Strickling and his wife Bonnie and great grandchildren Evelyn (Evie) Leigh, Willis Michael and Thomas Benjamin, and grandson Mitchell Andrew Strickling, all of Midland.She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Juanita Johnson of Ft. Stockton and their families; her brother, Don and his wife Kathleen and their families of the Houston area and her sister, Louise Theisen and her family of Dallas.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Midland, MD Anderson or Midland Memorial Hospital Foundation.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,
