Whitney Bernard-Ratcliff

BERNARD-RATCLIFF, Mrs. Whitney – age 78, passed away, Friday, June 21, 2019 at Skilled Bloomfield Hills. Memorial Service 1:30PM Saturday, July 27, 2019 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry Street. Bishop William H. Murphy Jr., officiating. Family and Friends will assemble at the funeral home 1:30PM Saturday. There will be No Public Viewing. Whitney Jean Bernard-Ratcliff was born Whitney Jean Gasby, May 13, 1941 in Helm, Mississippi to the late Stella and Reverend Wesley Gasby Jr. They also lived in St. Louis, Missouri but settled in Detroit, Michigan so Whitney could attend integrated schools, and indeed she did. At an early age in Detroit, Whitney also accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She later joined Greater New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church where she served with the Junior Usher Board. Whitney was a bright, popular student and graduated from Davison Elementary, Cleveland Junior High as well as Pershing High School. She pursued her more advanced education at Detroit Institute of Technology (DIT). Whitney was actively involved with vibrant Detroit youth social clubs such as the TOPS for aspiring teachers, sponsored by Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, and the Hexagrams(?). She took classical piano lessons for 5 years and gracefully played Bach and Beethoven concertos. For recreational fun she loved to roller skate and dance. Always industrious, Whitney began working at various jobs including Cunningham’s Drug Store, Harper’s Cleaners, and Michigan Bell Telephone Company. She eventually found a long-term career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and retired after 34 years of service. In her role as a BCBSM Marketing Representative she automated billing for medical professionals and doctors throughout the State of Michigan. Whitney received many commendations for her outstanding work in this regard. Whitney possessed the gift of giving and being a blessing to others. She enjoyed travel, theater, live music events, playing card games, shopping and being a member of the Red Hat Society. Her paternal grandmother was from Lake Charles, Louisiana and we think that’s where Whitney inherited her talent for making great seafood gumbo. It was awesome to taste! Whitney’s husband, Artis, captured her heart in a special way and was the love of her life. Her children, Toi and Damon, were the apples of her eye. Her baby sister Margaret, of whom she was protective, was her pride and joy. Her sister in law, Holiner, was a cherished source of care. Whitney’s late parents, Stella and Wesley, were her strong Christian anchors. Whitney transitioned on June 21, 2019 and leaves to celebrate her life: devoted husband, Artis Ratcliff; daughter, Toi Bennett; son, Damon Bernard; sister, Margaret (Kenny) Gasby-Brown; niece, Janine Seals-Anderson and family; stepchildren, Janice Ratliff, Paul Ratcliff, Grace Singleton and their families; sisters-in-law, Holiner Rush, Helen Ratliff, Willeen McQuitta and Dorothy Butcher; brothers-in-law, Leamon Ratliff, John Ratliff, Earnest Ratliff, Freamon Ratliff(deceased) Joseph Ratliff(deceased); and a host of other relatives and friends.

Whitney Bernard-Ratcliff

May 13, 1941 - June 21, 2019