Gerald Wayne Ratley

Gerald Wayne Ratley, son of Ramona Slover Ratley and the late Harold Dow Ratley, was born on Aug. 24, 1946, in Bonne Terre, Mo., and died on Jan. 7, 2013, at his residence in Dudley, Mo., at the age of 66.

Mr. Ratley was employed as a financial advisor for W. W. Wood. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and belonged to the First Baptist Church in Farmington, Mo. He was an avid bass fisherman.

On Nov. 17, 1994, he was united in marriage to Loretta Law in Dexter. Mrs. Ratley resides at the home.

In addition to his mother and his wife, he is survived by one sister, Karyl Minson of Dexter; two step-daughters, Brenda Moore of Poplar Bluff and Ruth Dunavant of Fisk; and nine grandchildren, Will Moore, Kyndal Moore, Gerald T. Ratley, Marisa Weathers, Mason Ratly, Garrett Ratley, Brandon Ratley, Christina Dunavant, and Dale Dunavant. Besides his father, he was preceded in death by one son, Harold Wayne Ratley.

A graveside service was conducted on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Jim Hoyt officiating. Interment followed at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. Arrangements were under the direction of Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.