08/22/2021
Paula Mae (Clark) Ratliff was born May 25, 1943 in Knoxville, Iowa the daughter of Ray and Erma (Mohler) Clark.
Paula graduated from Knoxville High School with the Class of 1961. Shortly after high school, Paula was united in marriage to Harold Trude.
Harold died of Leukemia in 1973. Paula earned her L.P.N. degree and worked at a nursing home in Newton before taking a job at the Knoxville V.A. Medical Center.
On June 29, 1974 she was united in marriage to Larry Ratliff and the couple made their home in Knoxville. Paula retired from the V.A. in 2004.
In her spare time, Paula enjoyed bird watching, gardening, traveling or just taking a car ride. Her greatest joy was family, and Paula especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Paula passed away Sunday, August 22, 2021 at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center, in Knoxville, at the age of 78 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Alice Simbro, Ray Clark, Wilma Schraeder, Phillip Clark, Fred Clark, Harold Clark and Carroll Clark and her first husband, Harold Trude.
Those left to cherish Paula’s memory include her husband, Larry; children: Steve (Joy) Trude, Mike (Danette) Trude, Jeanne Trude, Fred Trude and Will Ratliff; 4 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; siblings: Merrill Clark and Pam Simbro and many other family members and friends.
The family extends a special thank you to Suncrest Hospice for their care of Paula.
A funeral service for Paula Ratliff, age 78 of Knoxville, will be held Friday, August 27, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Community of Christ Church.
Burial will follow in Dunreath Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Bybee & Davis Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Community of Christ Church.