Polly Anne Ratcliff

Polly Anne Adams Ratcliff, 93, went to meet her Lord on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2017, after a short illness. She was born in Halifax County August 31, 1923, the first daughter of Sallie Fowler Bradshaw Adams and Theodore Archer Adams, Jr., of Danripple, Virginia and was a resident of the Chastain Home for Gentle Women. She was a life-long member of Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher and Deacon and in her last years attended St. John’s Episcopal Church.   She is survived by her three children, Donna Ratcliff Strange and husband Ned, Don Theodore Ratcliff and wife Mildred and Christopher Keathly Ratcliff, and two sisters, Carol Adams Foster and husband Mark and Sallie  Adams McBride.   In addition, she is survived by five grandchildren, Rudyard E. “Ned” Strange, Jr., Anne Marshall Gordon, Ruth Ratcliff Williams, Theodore Lee Ratcliff, and Katherine Nell Ratcliff; ten great-grandchildren; and others, including devoted nieces and nephews and friends of all ages.   Mrs. Ratcliff attended Mary Washington College and received her associate degree from Richmond Professional Institute. She was employed in the engineering department of Westinghouse until her retirement in the mid 1980s. She also worked as a draftsman for Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) and draftsman/designer for Daystrom Industries. She was charter member of the American Business Womens Association and was presented the Lester H. Hill Senior Service Award by the Virginia Capital Region of the American Red Cross for three decades of volunteerism with the local Red Cross. She participated in various hospital “Follies” productions and served thousands of hours as a volunteer at Halifax Regional Hospital.   Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 4, 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Mountain Road, Halifax, Virginia, with the Reverend Cleon Ross and Richard Henderson presiding. Interment will be at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church, Turbeville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church Organ Fund or to Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church.   Visitation will be held at Powell Funeral Home, Tuesday, January 3, from 7 to 8:30.   Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com   Arrangements are by: Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592