Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

April 16, 2024

Joseph Starke Ratcliffe was born on January 1, 1934, the fourth child of Louis Garthwright Ratcliffe and Hattie Starke Ratcliffe in Charlotte's Mercy Hospital.  Joe passed away April 16, 2024 at The Sharon. 

Joe attended Myers Park Grammar School, A.G. Junior High, and Darlington School for Boys.  He graduated from Central High School in 1952.  Following graduation from Central he attended NC State in Raleigh before serving his country in the US Army.  

After his military service, Joe spent the next 45 years successfully helping to grow the family business with his brother Louis G. at Derita Floral Supply, the wholesale division of Louis G. Ratcliffe, Inc., also better known as Ratcliffe's Flowers.  The company theme, "Ratcliffe's flowers brighten the hours" was well known throughout the Charlotte region.  

He was a member of the first Sertoma club and also Charlotte Rotary Club North.  Joe married Nancy Davis in 1958.  They were married for 66 years.  They had five children and those who survive him are Starke (Anne), Johnny (Janneke), Cathy (Dick), and Robert (Marianne).  Sadly, his daughter Beth preceded Joe after a long and heroic battle with cancer.  Surviving is Beth's husband Jimmy Rayburn.  Joe is also survived by 15 wonderful grandchildren, Anne Carroll Mascavage (Greg), Nancy Currin (John), Ashton Molster (Pierre), Sallie Ratcliffe, Jack Ratcliffe (Lily), Peter Ratcliffe (Thaisa), Hana Ratcliffe, Starke, Zach, and Milly Carleton, and Davis, Andrew, and Caroline Ratcliffe, Joe and Rachel Rayburn, and five great-grandchildren.  

In addition to his parents and daughter, Beth, Joe was also preceded in death by his brother Louis G. and sisters Eleanor Abernethy and Hattie B. Boyette.  

Family was always the center of his life, and he was focused on their wellbeing every day.  Boating and fishing provided activities that brought the family together virtually every summer weekend where he taught his children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren and often strangers the art of water skiing.  Joe's skills and activities seemed to be unlimited as he taught and participated with his children in hunting, riding unicycles, motorcycling, and taming a pony named Julie, and anything else that was a fun game.  The most important lesson he taught was to play fair and respect all people.  (Do unto others...... was a favorite saying of Joe's). 

While family was important, he had love for the game of golf even though the game didn't always love him back. Joe had a short compact swing that didn't generate a lot of distance, but he always found the ball.  From 100 yards he could compete with anyone and compete he did!  He respected life's challenges and on those occasions that were more serious in nature he dealt with in his own quiet way.  But laughter was the most common experience you had when with him.  

A memorial service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at Myers Park United Methodist Church in the Francis Chapel.  Visitation will follow at the church.

Memorials are welcomed at Memory and Movement, 411 Billingsley Rd, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28211.  

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.