Mervin Ratchford

Mervin Robert Ratchford, born April 23, 1922 near Dallas, NC, moved on to his reward surrounded by family and friends on April 18, 2013, 5 days before his 91st birthday. He joined his Savior and his beloved wife of 56 years, Ora Charlene Morris Ratchford.

He is survived by his children, Joe H Ratchford & wife Gloria, Jane Dameron, of Dallas, NC, and Dr. Ann Furr & husband Dr. W. Stephen Furr of Salisbury, NC. Grandchildren: Laura Dameron of Wilson, NC, David Dameron, Jr. of Sylva, NC, Matthew Ratchford and wife Nikki of Cornelius, NC, Seth Ratchford, Robin Ratchford and fiancé Zachary Otto, of Raleigh, NC, Christopher and Micah Furr of Salisbury; sisters: Helen Hoffman, Sadie Hoover, Wilma Craig and Marie Johnston.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, Forest Crown Ratchford and Mattie Best Ratchford, son-in-law, David Stephen Dameron, sisters: Cora Rhyne, Ruby Robinson, Clara Mable Hastings, brothers Samuel Ratchford and Forest C Ratchford ll.

Mervin was a graduate of Dallas High School, where he played basketball and volleyball, a lifelong resident of the Costner School Community, a farmer, grading and septic tank contractor and partner in land development. He was entirely devoted to his wife and family. He was known as a hard worker and was willing to help anyone in any way he could. Self-employed his whole life, he enjoyed many successes and overcame many setbacks, always determined to do better and overcome life's challenges. In his later years he was equally determined not to let advancing years and physical challenges deny his joy of living. He especially enjoyed working with his tractors and backhoe until recently. All who knew him had stories to tell about his work, his life, and many testimonies of souls saved by his witness for Christ. He loved to spend his later years taking care of his animals, running errands for the family business, and visiting with friends and his namesake, Mervin Cloninger. He always loved to try and find a better way to do anything and share the latest home remedies and cures he had read about. A lifelong student of the Scripture, he had just finished his evening Bible Study when he suffered cardiac arrest. A former elder in the Dallas and Bessemer City Presbyterian Churches, he was a faithful member for 20 years of Walnut Grove Baptist Church where he enjoyed his Sunday school and retired from the Choir. He was determined to live 'alone' at home and do for himself as much as Joe and Jane would allow, or try to limit. He was blessed to enjoy an active and productive life even up to his last days. He spent the day on Saturday driving his red Chevy pickup truck to visit with his family and friends and going out to eat supper with his devoted daughter, Jane.

Mervin will be missed by all who loved him and who are comforted to know that his faith has been made whole and he will spend eternity enjoying and glorifying God. Memorials may be sent to Walnut Grove Baptist Church, 3255 Dallas Cherryville Hwy, Dallas, NC 28034, Antioch Lutheran Church, 330 Old NC 277 Loop Rd. Dallas, NC 28034, or the Salvation Army, 107 South Broad Street Gastonia, NC 28052.

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 am Monday at Walnut Grove Baptist Church with the Pastors Steve Weaver and George Rhyne officiating. Burial will follow in Antioch Lutheran Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday night 6:30-8:30 pm at Sisk-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services.