Suzanne Renee Pas-Ratliff
Aug 27, 1975Feb 24, 2019
Memorial Service
Location
Gayton Baptist Church
Date
Thu, February 28, 2019
Time
10 : 00 AM – 11 : 00 AM
Obituary message
Suzanne Pas-Ratliff, 43, a valiant follower of Jesus, entered His presence on February 24, 2019, during a worship service her family was holding at her bedside.
Family members left to grieve with hope are her husband of 9 years, Mark Ratliff; her daughter, Ashton Pas; her son, Josiah Pas and step-son Scott Ratliff; her parents, Paul and Judy Hatfield; grandmother Helene Wilkin; mother-in-law Darlene Ratliff; former mother-in-law Darlene Drury; her brother, Timothy (Jamie) Hatfield, sister-in-law Debra (Ron) Houston; sister-in-law Lisa (Mike) Hoeck; brother-in-law Alex Pas, Jr.; nieces and nephews Elisa, Wilkin, and Clae Hatfield; Neil and Sam Houston; and Hadley, Harrison, Hannah and Harlow Hoeck; uncles John (Mary) Hatfield and George (Dottie) Hatfield; aunts Ruth Ann (Keith) Linnabary, Joyce (Landis) Duncan and Joilene (Ron) Kettle; and treasured cousins, their spouses, and their children.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Christa Hatfield; first husband Gregory Pas; aunt Joni Sue Wilkin, grandparents Paul and Agnes Hatfield and Forrest Wilkin; former father-in-law Alex Pas, Sr. and father-in-law Gene Ratliff.
She was born on August 27, 1975 in Indianapolis, Indiana but was raised in Roanoke, Virginia. She graduated from Northside High School and Milligan College and made loving homes for her family and nourished enduring friendships in Clearwater, FL, Johnson City, TN, Roanoke, VA, and Henrico, VA. Suzanne was a champion of the people Jesus loves. Throughout her adult life, she expressed His love as a wife and mother, a social worker for children and the elderly, a preschool teacher, a church worker, and a youth volunteer.
When she was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 2013, it never defined who she was. She fought it and won. In 2018, when she learned of its spread to her liver and the limited medical knowledge of (and available treatments for) this rare cancer, she was convinced that God would continue to author her story. With a combination of fervent prayer, passionate faith, natural treatments and a Mama Bear ferocity, she clung to her family and the promises of Jesus that he would never forsake her. She was enveloped by a tight group of prayer warriors committed to her healing. Through all of this, she courageously continued to live life to its fullest – serving, loving, spending time with family, and making plans for upcoming trips and family reunions.
In mid-February, she was hospitalized and her body began to fail; yet her spirit continued to fight to stay with her husband and children. Through it all, though, she said, “I can’t lose. Whether He heals my body, or He meets me in heaven, I win.”
We will celebrate her victory and the goodness of our God on Thursday, February 28, at 10:00 a.m. in a service at Gayton Baptist Church, 13501 N Gayton Road, Henrico, VA 23233. In lieu of flowers, a family education fund has been set up for her children. For donation details, please email [email protected].
Rest in the arms of Jesus my firecracker, friend. You spent your days always pointing people to Him just in how you lived your life. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being such a welcome part of your sweet family; even in the rough times we didn’t think we’d have to walk through. You graced me with the honorary role of “big sister” right from the start through your very last days and I am forever grateful for that privilege. When your kids were young we made a commitment to be the community surrounding your children no matter the distance between us. Mark can count on us to continue on with that promise, even in your earthly absence. But oh, how we in your collective community miss you already… Save me a place at the table my sweet friend.
How Suzanne will be missed. She is in heaven pain free and still helping to guide family and friends thru this trying period. As the song says “Don’t worry be Happy”. Suzanne is in paradise and will be waiting with open arms for family and friends when their time comes to leave the earth . See you later my beautiful niece
Suzanne, your beautiful spirit of love and joy that mirrored that of Christ will be missed deeply. A big hole will be left in our church family. Thank you for loving and serving as you did. We will hold onto His promises and we will see you later!
So very sorry to hear about Suzanne’s passing. May the peace of God be on you Mark and the children!
Suzanne, you have always been such a sweet soul! Jesus shined through you! You have been an example God’s love through your service and your children and Mark! Such a blessing you have been to me and to everyone else that you have met! God bless you my sweet friend!
Suzanne, what a bright light you were to us at Gayton! No matter the age, you loved and encouraged each person you came in contact with and that joy will be missed so much! Your light is now shining brightly with Jesus ❤️
Wonderful Tribute to Suzanne’s Love, Faith, Devotion, and Spirit. Amy, Wade, and I will dearly miss Suzanne. God’s gain & our loss. Praise be to Jesus for her life and all the hearts she touched! “God please comfort Mark and his family with your Holy Spirit” Please read and ponder Revelation 22, 1-7
Suzanne, you were a breath a fresh air! Your contagious smile never failed to elicit a smile from others. You encouraged and prayed for Clay and I. Along with Mark, you were a mentor to us. You loved on my kids and never failed to make us feel welcomed and loved. You will be GREATLY missed but I will see you again one day! We love you and miss you!
You will be missed so very much. You always gave me faith and hope. I have so many loving memories of you.
Suzanne you were and will always continue to be a woman of strength and love. I will always pray for your sweet children and family.
Anyone who ever had the honor to meet you met Jesus for sure. Your love for all was always beaming
You will be missed until we have the pleasure of seeing you again in heaven
So sorry to hear of your loss and am praying goy the family. Didn’t know her but the Lord did and so I felt I did too.
Mrs. Suzanne was the nicest and sweetest person I have ever met. Her love for Jesus has brought me closer to God and I now know God does everything for a reason. She was my small group leader and she made it so much fun. SHE WAS THE BEST LEADER I COULD ASK FOR! I have known her for about 4 years, but it feels like forever! Mrs. Suzanne impacted my life tremendously and I will miss her very much. Sorry for your loss and just remember God’s got you!
Suzanne, The world has lost a truly spectacular person. To know you was to love you. You exuded kindness and joy to everyone you met. Your smile and laugh were contagious. You were an amazing example to my daughter during her middle school years in youth group. You gave of your time to serve and love the kids and most importantly teach them the love of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for your friendship and the time we had together. You will be missed in so many ways. I will continue to pray for your parents, Mark and the kids. May God wrap his loving arms around them and heal the void in their hearts. It is also my prayer that we all continue to serve and love as you did in life.
Paul and Judy and family, we are saddened to hear this. Prayers for all of Susanne’s family. Bill and Linda Sarver ( Roanoke)
Suzanne, we are all better off for having known you and you truly left the world a better place because of your commitment to your Savior. I am forever grateful that you stepped way out of your comfort zone to join our team on your very first international mission trip to Peru. It was an inspiration to be with you as you lived outside of your comfort zone in faith with our team. I will always cherish getting to know you as we served together on that trip. I am so glad that you were able to have that experience. May you continue your mission in the arms of your Savior and may the grace and comfort of our Lord Jesus Christ surround your family and comfort all of us left behind until we experience the joy you now know.
Suzanne, I will always think of your beautiful smile when I think of you! I am so blessed to have met you and served as a deacon with you. Your joy radiated and was contagious to those around you. How could anyone stay in a bad mood around you? Thank you for being such a Godly woman. You lived the mission we are called for…Alove God with all your heart and love your neighbors as yourself. ❤️ I will miss you.
You were such an inspiration to me. I’m so thankful I had the pleasure of working with you, and being your friend. Although we didn’t keep in touch as much after you moved, I always thought about you. You made an impact in my life with your kind, giving spirit. You are truly the most genuinely good person I have ever met. This world was a better place because of you. I know that you are with God, who you loved so much. I’ll be praying your family. We will surely miss you sweet Suzanne.
Suzanne made our world a better place with her spirit, her energy and her ever shining love for Jesus and those around her. Although her life was brief, her impact will be long lasting in those she loved and mentored through her constant demonstration of who God callls us to be. We all aspire to love and live for Jesus the way Suzanne did. I am sorry I could not attend today’s beautiful tribute to her, but I did watch it on line and was inspired by those that spoke about her life and legacy. She has won her race and is securely in the arms of Jesus whom she loved so much. I will continue to pray for Mark, the children and the rest of her family as they navigate the difficult weeks ahead. May Our Heavenly Father hold you close and give you the comfort only he can provide.
Mrs. Suzanne, You were everything to me. It seemed like you were my third parent to my honest. You were an AWESOME small group leader, and I am so glad you were part of my life. You were supportive, funny, your laugh was the best, and I always knew you would be praying for me. I remember the times when you didn’t spell my name right, you always brought us candy during small group, when you took the whole small group for ice cream, when I broke my glasses in your car, and the times when you were just there to listen. I miss you a lot, but I know you are in a better place. I am very happy you are able to see God right now.
Dear sweet Suzanne, THANK YOU for your beautiful presence in our church community. Your glowing smile and chats will be greatly missed. I will remember your sweet presence in our children’s hallway after I led the kids’ lesson on Sundays. Your example of a Christ-honored life, so well-lived, as His servant will always be valued and remembered. Our Lord was glorified through you; you were His hands and feet. Your strong faith and dedication to the Lord’s calling will always be remembered in my heart and soul. Please save me a place on Heaven’s glorious path, so we can “speed walk with Jesus”.
The Afters “Well Done” song is so you, sweet Susanne, by His beautiful grace and mercy.
“I’m waiting my whole life to hear You say Well done, well done My good and faithful one Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done, well done My beloved child You have run the race and now you’re home Welcome to the place where you belong
What will it be like when tears are washed away And every broken thing will finally be made whole? What will it be like when I come into Your glory Standing in the presence of a love so beautiful? I’m waiting my whole life for that day I will live my life to hear You say
Well done, well done My good and faithful one Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done, well done My beloved child You have run the race and now you’re home Welcome to the place where you belong What will it be like when I hear that sound?
All of heaven’s angels crying out Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord Waiting my whole life for that day Until then I’ll live to hear You say“
We will continue praying for your family. With much love from Amy, Keith, Jenna and Garrett-
Dear Suzanne, my heart breaks to just now learn of your passing mainly for your family. At the same time my heart rejoices as I know you are in the presence of our loving God.
I’m so glad we met in college and will always treasure those memories we shared on the bookfield. I knew you were special and would be a blessing to the Lord and to others no matter what you did. I still have the Bible you gave me and always will. I’ll see you again some day. -Michael