Tommy Rateliff

Tommy Rateliff of Bartow passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

He was born September 24, 1951 in Prescott, Arkansas to the late Harris Almond & Opal Faye (Jarvis) Rateliff; he came to the area 40 years ago. He was a mechanic, attended the First Assembly of God church and was a veteran of Vietnam, serving in the U.S. Army. He loved fishing and Nascar.

Tommy was preceded in death by his son, Tommy Rateliff Jr., brother, Johnny Wade Rateliff, and sister, Patsy Rateliff. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Melinda Clark Rateliff; daughters, Amanda Rateliff of Lake Wales, Lacy Rateliff of Bartow and Tammy Rateliff of Bartow; sisters, Lisa Boyles of Memphis, TN and Diane Beard of Olive Beach, MC; brother, George Heath of Kansas City, MO; and three grandchildren, Damain, Jacob and Kaylee.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wale with the viewing beginning at 1:00 PM until the service time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the family to offset medical expenses.

To view his webcast, please click the link below:
http://webcasts.lifetributes.com/58285