Henderson L. Ratliff

Henderson Lee Ratliff, 80, transitioned peacefully on November 17, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with heart disease and diabetes.

Henderson entered the world on August 5, 1943, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Lillie Mae Ratliff. Affectionately known as “Baby Brother”, he was the second of eight children born to Lillie Mae Ratliff Porter. He is reunited in heaven with his mother, Lillie, his oldest sister, Emma Mae Ratliff Carson, and his youngest brother, Larry Porter.

Henderson attended Lincoln High School in Kansas City, MO. He would later join the United States Army. He served for 2 years in active duty and 4 years in the reserves (November 1960 – October 1966). Immediately after serving in active duty, he would marry the love of his life, since the age of 13, Cheryllyn Lee Miller, on July 5, 1963. This year, on July 5, 2023, he celebrated 60 years of marriage to his beautiful bride, Cheryllyn.

Of all his accomplishments, Henderson was most proud of his family. Together he and Cheryllyn raised two children, Lynise Ratliff-Connor, and Robert J. Ratliff. Although he loved his kids, most precious to him were his grandchildren, Montel L. Ratliff, Brittany N. Connor, Symone N. Grantham, Brandon James Ratliff, Mariah Nichelle Connor, Kyle Robert Ratliff, and Aaliyah Nichole Ratliff, and his great grandchildren, Julius Wallace, Jr., and Ava Wallace. all of whom he loved and spoiled like they were his own.

Henderson held several jobs during his lifetime including working as a Deputy Sheriff for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department (10 years), and as a Postal Carrier and Driving Instructor for the United States Postal Service (24 years), before retiring in 2005.

As a devout man of faith, Henderson and his family faithfully attended Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri where he served on the Civil Rights Committee, Baseball Coach, Athletics Ministry, and Media Ministry.

Throughout his lifetime, Henderson was an avid fisherman and loved to hunt. He spent countless hours on the fishing bank and hunting with his uncle McKinley “Mac” Jones and his best friend, Melvin Reynolds. Melvin preceded him in death in August 2023. He also loved sports and enjoyed watching his grandchildren play baseball, basketball, football, and track. Henderson was also a Handyman Extraordinaire—there literally wasn’t anything he could not fix or repair!

Henderson suffered from diabetes and heart disease. In 2010 he had a stroke that left him paralyzed on his left side. In 2018, he would succumb to diabetes and require an above-the-knee amputation of both of his legs. With all his medical issues, you would think that he would just give up, but Henderson was a fighter and learned to function despite his disabilities. He continued to use his computer to write books, poems and surf the internet. He also remained a civil rights advocate – writing letters to mayors, congressman, senators, and the president of the United States to bring positive change and social justice.

Memories of Henderson will be cherished by his wife, Cheryllyn Lee Ratliff; daughter Lynise Ratliff-Connor (Courtney), son Robert J. Ratliff (Susan), grandsons Montel Ratliff, Brandon Ratliff, and Kyle Ratliff; granddaughters Brittany Connor, Symone Grantham, Mariah Connor and Aaliyah Ratliff; great-grandson Julius Wallace, Jr.; great-granddaughter Ava Wallace; godson Floyd “Sparky” Fowler; a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, and friends.