Ella Woolfolk Ratcliffe

Ella Woolfolk Ratcliffe, daughter of the late Douglas and Virginia Sutton Woolfolk was born in Caroline County, Virginia on February 19,1914. From this union, there were seven children and she was the only girl. Her brothers, Albert, Julian, Douglas, Ernest, Revelle and Lawrence preceded her in death.

She attended Caroline Caounty Schools. As a teenager she enjoyed playing the piano. She moved to Washington, D.C. and completed high school. On December 13,1942 she married Sidney Ratcliffe. Later she moved to Byrn Mawr, Pa. and on August 29,1949 was employed as Housekeeping Maid in Bryn Mawr Hospital's Maternity Unit. On January 25, 1961, she was promoted to Housekeeping Forelady in Maternity. She remained in that position until her retirement in 1984. She was employed by the Hospital for more than 35 years.

When Ella was 9 years old she gave her life to Christ and was baptized at Reedy Baptist Church. She joined Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bryn Mawr in 1970 under the pastorate of the late Reverend Luther F. McNair. She was a member of the Pastor's Club, a charter member of the Sterling Club and a member of the Trustee Board for nearly 20 years until her health failed. Mrs. Frances Harper, Church Clerk had this to say about Ella, ''Ella took great pride in her church and was willing to lend a hand where needed. She would clean the kitchen and make the best coffee in Bryn Mawr. She would purchase it and have it made on Sundays and for every affair we had. She was given the title of ''The Coffee Lady''. Ella would speak her mind when you made her mad. Yes Ella was missed by all when she moved from Bryn Mawr and her church.

When her health began to fail and she could not remain in the Assisted Living Facility in Philadelphia, the decision was made by her niece, Yvonne Britton and her nephew, Douglas Woolfolk to move her nearer home. While waiting to be admitted to a Nursing Home, she was placed in a private home under the care of Mrs. Betty Wilson. Her care was excellent and she was very happy there, so she remained there until she became ill on the morning of September 18,2003. She was taken to Retreat Hospital where she expired later that day.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her conservator and niece, Yvonne Britton of Glen Allen, Va.; devoted nephew Douglas Woolfolk, Woodbridge, Va.; nieces, Blondie Blythe of Jamaica, N.Y.; Alice Rookard of New London, Ct.; Robbie Woolfolk and Brenda Woolfolk of Ruther Glen, Va.; Nephews, Roger Woolfolk of Woodbridge, Va.;Revelle Woolfolk Jr. of Fairmont Park, Md.; Roosevelt Gray of Ruther Glen, Va.; Two sister-in-laws, Mary Woolfolk and Sallie Woolfolk. Three special friends, Evelyn Gaymon of Bryn Mawr, Pa.; Mary Small of Rosemont, Pa.; and Rev. Edith Patterson Payne of Malvern, Pa.; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Home:
Cedell Brooks Funeral Home
25662 A.P. Hill Blvd
Port Royal, VA
US 22535