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March 6, 1981 – Aug. 2, 2024

NATCHEZ – Wade Weathersby Ratcliffe, 43, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Aug. 2, 2024. The third son of Catherine Case Ratcliffe and Charles Everette Ratcliffe, he was born in Natchez on March 6, 1981. He attended Trinity Episcopal Day School throughout elementary and high school. Active in football and baseball throughout his school years, Wade was honored with being named high school class favorite several years and named to the Natchez Democrat All-Metro football team in 1999. He graduated from Trinity in 1999, after which he attended the University of Mississippi where he majored in Hospitality Management and was a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity, graduating in 2005.

After graduation, Wade married his best friend, Desi Duncan Ratcliffe, and made their home in Hattiesburg where they began building a family. Wade was a loving family man, his wife and his three children being his first priority. He worked as a Sales Consultant for Sysco Food Services for 17 years, until his death. Sysco management wrote this of Wade, “He was a vibrant, caring, and compassionate man who always extended a helping hand.” Friends and family described him as a “wonderful husband, with the biggest heart.” He was hilarious, kind, clever, and gentle…loved by all who knew him.

A lifelong Presbyterian, he attended First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg where he served as Deacon and taught Children’s Church with his wife and children and assisted in many church activities.

Wade worked in Yellowstone National Park during his college years, which only enhanced his love of the outdoors. An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed preparing the field, hunting and fishing the game, and even more delighted in preparing and cooking his game for all to enjoy.  One of his greatest joys was spending time on Lake St. John with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ora Alexander Case and Harold Case and Betty and Charles Everette Ratcliffe; infant sister, Melinda Ratcliffe, and first cousin, Richard Ratcliffe.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Desi Ratcliffe; his son, Wade Weathersby (Webb) Ratcliffe, Jr.; his daughters, Rebekah (Ree) Cralle Ratcliffe and Callista (Callie) Case Ratcliffe; his brothers, Brant Ratcliffe (Monica) of Madison, MS and Calvit Ratcliffe of Nashville, TN; nephews, Jackson and Wilder Ratcliffe of Madison; and uncle, Latta Ratcliffe (Beverly); his parents-in-law, Tom and Danielle Duncan of Morganfield, KY; sister-in-law, DeDe McPeake, niece, Sloane McPeake and nephews, Willem and James McPeake of Sullivan, KY.

The funeral service for Wade will be Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez, at noon with Rev. Dr. Joan Gandy presiding assisted by Rev. Chase Caldwell and Rev. Knox Baird of First Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg. The church service will be preceded by visitation at 11 a.m. at Stratton Chapel of First Presbyterian Church on State Street and followed by a graveside service at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Ryan O’Beirne, Dunbar Jenkins, Dixon Laird, Marcus Mason, Forrest Johnson, Lindsey Callon, Chance Nolen, Hardy Hill, George Null and Al Pursley.

Wade may be remembered with memorials to First Presbyterian Church, 400 State Street, Natchez, MS 39120; First Presbyterian Church, 4901 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39402; or the 3-D School, 120 George Street, Petal, MS 39465.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.