Mother Rebecca Black-Ratliff, age 91, answered the call of her Loving Savior on Friday, February 23, 2018 at her residence in Racine, Wisconsin.  Rebecca was born in New Albany, Mississippi on December 16, 1926 to Trudy Black and Earlie Black.

After high school, Rebecca went on to college and became a nurse.   She was the First African American Nurse employed by St. Mary's Hospital in Racine, Wisconsin where she touched many lives with her kind and gentle spirit.  She was also a highly skilled beautician but her most important vocation was raising and caring for her children.  She also enjoyed cooking, playing bingo and looking for treasures at local stores.  Rebecca loved the Lord and was currently serving on the Mother's Board at New Omega Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Fred L. Richmond.

She is survived by her daughters, Ernestine (David) Johnson, Mary (David) Pearson, Janice (Dana) Lawrence and Linda Ratliff; grandchildren, Gregina, Lori, Keyonta, Sergio, Josanthia, Benina, Laura, Laina, Shaquida and Janica; twenty eight great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren, her Godchildren, Cleveland and Mary Cornelius,  as well as many other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Rebecca was preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Ratliff; brothers Hugh, Dewitt and Charlie Black as well as her sister, Pearl Hill.

Rebecca was intelligent, loving, giving, funny, strong and deeply devoted to the people she loved. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Service Details

Funeral: Wednesday, March 7, 2018   11:00am

Visitation: Wednesday, March 7, 2018  10:00am – 11:00am

Location: New Omega Baptist Church, 5731 Northwestern Ave, Racine, WI

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