Mariam R. (Norris) Ratliff

Mariam Rose Norris Ratliff  passed peacefully on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023. Mariam was born in Modena, MO on November 24, 1936, to George R Norris and India Dowler Norris. When she was a small child, the family moved to Trenton, MO. 

Mariam was married to Elmer Ray Ratliff (Ray) on March 17th, 1954. They made their home in Trenton, MO until 1961, when they moved to Marceline, MO.  She was a mother, a homemaker, and later worked at the Marceline school cafeteria,  Pischel’s Publishing Company, and Moore Company Fans. She was a member of the Marceline Baptist churches and had many friends there.  In her earlier years, she was on a bowling team, and later was a member of the Marceline Chapter of Rebekahs. Though she suffered for many years with rheumatoid arthritis, she never let it get her down.  She will be lovingly remembered as a great mother and grandmother. 

In 2010, Mariam moved to Forsyth, MO to be near her daughter and son-in-law.  She was a member of Forsyth Baptist Church and loved her Sunday School Class members. In May, 2023, health issues caused her to move into Forsyth Rehab and Nursing Center, where she made many friends. 

Mariam is survived by two children: Deborah (Debby) Dowell and husband Charles Dowell of Forsyth, MO, and Stephen (Steve) Ratliff and wife, Janis Ratliff of Kansas City.  She also had six grandchildren: Fara Hill of Marceline, MO, Adam Dowell of Los Angeles, CA, Brett Dowell of Kansas City, MO, Katie Jo Harris of Houma, LA, Laura Ratliff of Kansas City, MO and Stephen Ratliff of Kansas City, MO.  She also had five step grandchildren, Melanie Linville, Derek Malone, Jody Malone, Casey Malone, and Jessica Malone, all of Kansas City, MO.  She has nine great-grandchildren and seven step- great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother Vernon Norris and his wife Pam Norris, of Trenton, MO., and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Martha Chandler, and brothers  Leonard Norris, James Marvin Norris, Dennis Norris, and David Norris. 

Visitation will be Monday, October 9th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, and services will be Tuesday, October 10th at 10:30 a.m.  Both will be held at Resthaven Mortuary in Trenton, MO. Interment will be at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Trenton, MO. 

Memorial donations are suggested to Rescue One (pet rescue), they may be mailed or left with Resthaven Mortuary, in Trenton, Missouri. 

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