Mrs. Belinda Cates Ratcliff

September 18, 1957 - June 11, 2020

Funeral services for Mrs. Belinda Cates Ratcliff, 62, of Carthage, Texas will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jasper, Texas with Bro. David Nugent officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Jasper. A visitation will be held in Carthage, Texas at the Hawthorn Funeral Home 4-7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2020. A visitation in Jasper, Texas will be at the Stringer Griffin Funeral Home 5-8:00 p.m. Monday, June 15, 2020. Mrs. Belinda Ellen Cates Ratcliff was born September 18, 1957 in Malvern, Arkansas. She passed this life June 11, 2020 at her home in Carthage, TX. Belinda was the oldest of three children born to the marriage of Dennis Lee and Betty Norwood Cates. She was raised and schooled in Malvern, Arkansas graduating with the high school class of 1975. She attended Tyler Junior College, serving as an Apache Belle and President of the San Souci Sorority. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Education through Sam Houston State University, majoring in English and Physical Education with an emphasis on dance. Belinda married Timothy John Ratcliff July 14, 1979 and they celebrated almost 41 years of marriage. Belinda’s career in professional education would span 41 years. She taught in Jasper ISD, Palestine-Westwood ISD, Tatum ISD, and Carthage ISD, making a difference in students’ lives. She served as cheerleader sponsor for 18 years in Jasper, and U.I.L. Academics sponsor in Westwood and Carthage I.S.D. Belinda valued her family above all else. One of her greatest pleasures was spoiling her grandbabies with “prizes”. Being “BeBe” was one of her most treasured titles. In addition to BeBe, she also was a “Steel Magnolia Sister”. A special bond shared between her and her Steel Sisters. They are well known for their elaborate routines at family celebrations. In all chapters of life, they have relied on one another and have been by each other's side through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Belinda forever cherished the relationship she shared with the Steels. She is preceded in death by her father, Dennis Cates and a brother, Eddie Cates. Mrs. Ratcliff is survived by her devoted husband Tim Ratcliff of Carthage, TX; mother, Betty Cates of Malvern, AR; daughter, Lauren McSwain and husband Brad of Magnolia, TX; son, Christopher Ratcliff and wife Lisa of Hemphill, TX; brother, Ronnie Cates of Pine Bluff, AR; grandchildren, Emma, Camden, and Brady McSwain all of Magnolia, TX, Reagan and Macy Wall, and John Knox Ratcliff all of Hemphill, TX; sister-in-law, Kim Cates of Longview, TX; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. The family suggests in lieu of flowers donations to, gifts.mdanderson.org in memory of Belinda Ratcliff for Cancer Neurology c/o Dr. Anne Klieman.