Mary Ratliff

Mary Lou Ratliff

November 12, 1934 - October 9, 2025

Portsmouth, Ohio Resident

FC Daehler Mortuary

PORTSMOUTH - Mary Lou Ratliff, 90 of Portsmouth passed away on Thursday October 9, 2025

at Hillview Retirement Center.

Mary Lou was born November 12, 1934, in Portsmouth and was the daughter of the late Fred

and Thelma Jones. She was a Portsmouth High School graduate and in her early years she

worked at Williams Shoe factory, then went on to work as a clerk at the Scioto County

Recorder's Office and retired after 34 years.

Mary Lou loved and participated in many sports. In her younger years, she was very athletic

and enjoyed playing softball and later she took up bowling and was involved with various

bowling leagues over the years. After retiring, Mary Lou was very active in the Shawnee State

Golden Bears.

As family matriarch to three generations, she led vacations, holidays, and traditions, including

her annual Christmas Eve party which many had attended over the years as well as many

summer barbecues and is fondly known as "Nana" to many that weren't even related.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years Robert "Bob" Ratliff, Sr., her

grandson Christopher Foster, sister Emma Jean Myers, and brother-in-law Gene Myers.

She is survived by her children, Jeanie Ratliff Cole (Phil) of Columbus; Robert Ratliff, Jr. (Diana)

of Portsmouth, and Sherri Ratliff of Portsmouth. She is also survived by her grandchildren,

Ashley Ratliff Spille (Eric), Katelynn Cole Martin (Zac), Meredith Cole Brink (Andy), Olivia Cole

Pfister (Tyler), Chandler Cole (Jordan), Hannah Foster Taylor (Brett) and Jeremy Rhea. 17 Great

grandchildren - Addyson, Harper, Will, Caleb, Hadley, Emma, Evelyn, Avery, Finley, Tatum,

Levi, Josie, Macy, Welles, Kennedy, Brooks and Grace, several special nieces, a nephew, and

their families.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daehler's Funeral Home in Portsmouth, and will be

held on Tuesday October 14, 2025. Visitation for the family will be 11:00 - 12:00, for the public

12:00 - 1:00 with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow the services at

Greenlawn Cemetery in Portsmouth and a celebration of life will be held at Daehler's Funeral

Home immediately following the interment. The family wishes to thank the staff of Hillview

Retirement Center for their loving care and kindness during her time of illness.

Please visit www.fcdaehlermortuary to leave a special memory of Mary Lou or condolences to

the family. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to SOMC Hospice, 2201 25th Street,

Portsmouth, Ohio 45662