Reverend Archie Ratliff, who served on the Welch College Board of Trustees from 1996 – 2008, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2012, in Houston, Texas, after a three-year battle with cancer.
Pastor Ratliff was ordained in 1972 in Glennville, Georgia, where he served five years as pastor of Glennville Free Will Baptist Church. He also served as Moderator of the South Georgia Association from 1974 – 1976.
He returned to his home state of Indiana the following year to pastor Peace Free Will Baptist Church in Beech Grove. He also served as Moderator of the Indiana State Association for seven of his 14-year tenure there.
In 1991, Reverend Ratliff accepted the pastorate at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church and Bethel Christian Academy in Kinston, North Carolina. He served 12 years (1996 – 2008) on the Welch College Board of Trustees, including several years as vice chairman.
Pastor Ratliff was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2009. While he was able to overcome the cancer, he developed leukemia as a result of the radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
President Matt Pinson said, “The Welch College family mourns the loss of this servant of God. We thank the Lord for his service to Welch College and the Free Will Baptist denomination and will be praying for his family in the coming days.”
Pastor Ratliff is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Portia; three daughters Kim Truett, Michelle Williams, and Jennifer Carnes; brother Steve Ratliff; and nine grandchildren.