Nancy M. Ratchford

Nancy Ratchford, 93, passed away on February 15, 2022, in Waco, Texas, after a short illness. A graveside service will be held Friday, February 18, at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont, with the Rev. Dan Darby officiating. Nancy Mockford was born in Greenville, Texas, to Lynna and Phil Mockford. She was the eldest of three siblings. She showed aptitude for many things, including science and music. She attended Baylor University and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in medical technology. While training in Dallas during her senior year, she met Winston McCall, the cousin of her roommate. They were married in 1951, then were later joined by their three daughters, Lydia, Lisa, and Laurie. After being widowed at age 40, she continued to raise her young daughters with strength and grace. A friend introduced her to Bill Ratchford, a widower with two teenage boys, Doug and David. They married in 1972 and began a wonderful journey together with their blended family in Silsbee, Texas, until his death in 2010. Nancy had three fulfilling careers, first as Clinical Laboratory Manager of Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas, later as a lab inspector for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, then as a Licensed Local Pastor in the Methodist Church. Her third career began at age 70, and she served on the staff of First United Methodist Church of Silsbee until the age of 88. After retiring from her church ministry, she relocated to Waco to an independent living apartment. She became involved in a local church and made many friends in her residential community. She enjoyed Bible study, book club, and playing bridge. She also loved being closer to her children and relished visits and videos with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. J. Philip Mockford and Lynna Rash Mockford; husband, E. Winston McCall; husband, William C. Ratchford, Jr.; great-grandson Everett Winston Barr; and brother-in-law, John D. Gardner. She is survived by her sister, Gladys Gardner; brother, Phil Mockford and wife, Jane; daughters, Lydia Bratcher and husband, Kent, Lisa Moreno and husband, Eduardo, and Laurie Barr and husband, Britten; stepsons, Douglas Ratchford and wife, Lynnett, and David Ratchford and wife, Mary Jane. She took great joy in her grandchildren: Blake Bratcher, Claire Messerall, and husband, Brett, Benjamin Barr and wife, Michelle, Larkin Timmerman and husband, Christopher, Ellen Wilson, Winston Barr and wife, Sonalie, Meredith Ratchford, and John Ratchford. She was delighted to welcome two great-granddaughters last year, Juniper Barr and Olivia Messerall, and was looking forward to the arrival of great-grandson Ellis Barr. Also surviving are nephew Dale Mockford and wife, Ludessa, and great-niece Lynna Mockford. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons Blake Bratcher, Benjamin Barr, and Winston Barr and sons-in-law Kent Bratcher, Eduardo Moreno, and Britten Barr. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.