Funeral services for Mary Lou Barbour Ratliff, age 85, of Brownwood, will be at 2:00 PM, Friday, August 24, 2012 in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel with Tony king officiating.  Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 at the funeral home.

Mary went to be with our heavenly Father on Monday, Aug. 20, 2012.

\Mary was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother while charity filled her heart throughout her life.  Mary was born Jan. 27, 1927 in Jacksonville, IL., to Thomas Wesley and Grace Moss Lindsey Barbour.  She resided in Jacksonville while growing up and attending school and lived at her parent’s dairy farm.  Mary came to Texas about 1945 and met the love of her life, Charles Henry Ratliff.  They were married Jun. 23, 1948 in Robert Lee.

Mary and Charles lived in San Angelo for a few years before settling in Brownwood about 1952 and raising a family of seven children.  Mary was a member of the First Christian Church of Brownwood.  She worked several years for Brownwood Manufacturing as machine operator.  She had a “green thumb”, and always loved working in the yard with vegetable and flower gardens.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and by brothers Crum, Robert, and William Barbour; sisters Alice Moeller and Aileen Erickson.

She is survived by a brother Thomas J. Barbour of Jacksonville, IL.; sons Charles T. and Karol, of Murphy, William H. and Sandy, of Brownwood; daughters Nancy C. and Danny Jones; Gloria and Allen Cornelius; Cheryl and Jack Bourland; Colleen and William Sparks, all of Brownwood, and Mary Daniel of Leander, 18 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

The family would like to thank all our loving friends and care givers at Solaris Family Hospice, with a special big hug and thanks to Frances.

Condolences can be offered to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net