Rev. Dr. Bobby Lewis Ratcliffe

A NEW BEGINNING
God saw that this world needed someone extra special to fulfill his purpose. He wanted to bring joy to all that this Man of God encountered. He knew that Qullier Ratcliffe, Jr. (father) and Donnie Williams (mother) would be overjoyed with such a blessing. On Monday, September 15, 1958, in Jackson, Mississippi, Ms. Williams gave birth to a son, which she proudly named Bobby Lewis Raticliffe. Sadly, Bobby’s mother passed away at his tender age of six. With a gaping hole in his heart, he continued to grow and be productive.

His grandparents Harry and Cora Williams gladly stepped in and raised him until he reached adulthood. He attended Hammond Tech High School in East Chicago, Indiana. He also played basketball for Hammond. Bobby also pledged to the fraternity Kappa Alpha Si. He graduated with honors. He received his Bachelor’s degree in African Studies. Reverend Ratcliffe worked at Indiana State University Under Charlie Brown for 3 years. Bobby (like David) was a man after God’s own heart. He knew he had a calling on his life. He loved to read. He found the BIBLE so intriguing page after page. The more he learned of God, the more he wanted to know. After his newfound revelation he decided he wanted more. That is when he decided he wanted to earn his Ph.D. in Theology. After earning is Ph.D., he started his career at Purdue University as Assistant Dean for The Black Culture Center under Antonio “Tony” Zanora, Dean at Purdue University
teaching African Studies, Black History and Theology. He also gave motivational speeches at different colleges around the country.

Bobby began his entrepreneurship at the tender age of 8 with his red wagon he would collect pop bottles each morning and evening and sell them to Nick's Grocery store. Later he worked for the
Hammond Times as a Newspaper Boy getting up early in the morning to wrap and deliver his papers before school. Bobby was driven to succeed for the sole purpose of helping his Grandparents to care for his siblings. He was constantly seeking ways to prosper financially through prayer and hard work he was able to attain goal after goal. He was known as the Lincoln Man (because he always drove a Lincoln while attending Purdue University.

GOD’S INTERVENTION
August 14, 1997, while on a business trip to Indiana, Wanda Williams (then) caught the eye of Reverend Ratcliffe. Their courtship lasted for some time. He proposed and asked Wanda Williams to be his lawfully wedded wife. April 10, 1998, they were joined together as one. After the union was made before God, Reverend Ratcliffe moved to Reddick to join his lovely wife and children. Reverend Ratcliffe was a true Man of God. With God as the head of his life, his every breathing moment was all about God and his family. Another one of his favorite things to do was cooking. He had feed all. He was a selfless man. If there was anything he could do for others, he would do it with no hesitation. When you walk through the door, he is going to give you a warm welcome. The next words would be “Have you eaten”? You can say, Yes. His response would be “Well, there is enough. Take some home with you." 

MINISTER RATCLIFFE
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, Reverend Bobby Lewis Ratcliffe answered his roll call. Both Bobby’s parents and grandparents preceded him in death. Those who will truly miss him dearly: his loving wife of 25 years Evangelist Wanda Ratcliffe of Reddick, FL; daughter, Alexis (Anthony) Willis of Indianapolis, IN; son, Andre Patterson of Gary, IN; daughter, Ebony White of Augusta, GA; son, Jerry (Latisha) Little; son, Marvin Hayes; 2 goddaughters: Ramauria Broadnax and Chenithel Lewis; mother-in-law, Diane Williams; father-in-law, Jimmy Williams Sr.; siblings: Betty Henderson, Juanita Williams (Chorcy), Daisy Ratcliffe, and Steven Williams; aunts and uncles: Martha Thompson (Emile), Laura White, Aaron Davis, Robert Williams,
Peter Williams, Johnny Davis (Gwen), Willie Davis (Ida), Matilda Mitchell, and Lennie McCloud; sisters-in-law: Vanessa Haywood, Edith Williams, and Debbie Williams; brothers-in-law: Jimmie
Williams Jr. and Paytran Williams (Ericka); 2 special cousins that were also his God sisters: Cynthia Fitzpatrick and Dianna Ratcliffe; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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