The celebration of life for Addie Belle Olson Ratliff, 83, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel in Comanche. Addie passed October 29, 2021. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Addie Olson was born to Dee and Katherine Olson in Fort Worth, Texas on November 21, 1937. When Addie was seven years old, her father passed away. Her stepfather, Bill Pittman, was supportive in her adolescent years. She spent her childhood years in Fort Worth.
Addie graduated from Trimble Tech High School at the age of 16, and at age 17 Addie Olson married Gene Ratliff in Weatherford, Texas on April 30, 1955. Gene and Addie resided in West Palm Beach, Florida while Gene was stationed at Palm Beach Air Force Base. Their first son, Larry Don, was born in 1956 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Upon Gene’s honorable discharge, Gene, Addie and their young son moved back to her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. Addie worked as the PBX operator/receptionist at Lennox Industries, Inc. from 1957-1968. During this time a second son, Barry Gene, was born in 1962 in Fort Worth.
The family moved to Stephenville in 1968. Addie began studies at Tarleton State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1973 and her master’s degree in 1975. Addie was employed by the DeLeon Independent School District where she taught English and Spanish from 1974-1984 and by the Stephenville Independent School District where she taught English, Spanish and Latin from 1984-1998. She was an ardent supporter of DeLeon and Stephenville athletics. While at SISD, Addie sponsored student trips to Europe and Australia during the summers. Addie had a lasting legacy with her students as exemplified by the social media posts.
After retiring from teaching, she was involved in the Comanche County Republican Party, and she was an election judge for early voting as well as election day voting in Comanche County for fifteen years.
Addie is survived by her husband, Gene of Comanche, her son, Larry of Stephenville, her son, Barry and wife Lisa of Arlington, her sisters, Verna Shockley and husband Jeff and Wanda Neubauer of North Richland Hills and Juanelle Pittman of Stephenville and her beloved fur baby, Benji. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many former students and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to your local animal shelter or charity of your choice. Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.
