Virginia Jean (Lewis) Ratliff

Virginia Jean Lewis Ratliff, 83, completed her mortal testing peacefully in the morning of 30 December 2024. She leaves an international legacy of love and service. 

Born in Houston, Texas, to Albert and Frances Lewis, Virginia attended Spring Branch High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, at Austin, a master’s degree from Texas A&I, and a doctorate from the University of Utah. The consummate educator, Virginia devoted her life to empowering others through knowledge. Whether she was instructing disadvantaged children on the Mexican border, high school students in Smithfield, Utah, young adult New Zealanders in the LDS church education system, adult learners in Cache Valley, undergraduate and graduate university students, members of the Fijian national basketball team, girl scouts, boy scouts, gymnasts, soccer players, swimmers, or simply her own children or grandchildren, her students felt her love and complete devotion. Her exceptional achievements and volunteerism were acknowledged with awards from Utah Governor Michael Leavitt and the Utah State University President George Emmert.

Virginia exemplified faith, adventurous spirit, sacrifice, and service as she led her family on a path to eternal life. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1970 and quickly introduced her father, mother, uncle, younger sister, Nancy and her family, and her soon to be husband, Richard, to the gospel. She seized every opportunity to emphasize that all things testify of Christ and incorporate scripture stories into everyday conversation, even while weeding the garden. Family and family history were a couple of her passions. Two of her grandchildren are currently serving full-time missions, with multiple children and grandchildren following the path she pioneered. She and Richard served a mission in Fiji in 2007 and served as temple ordinance workers in the Fijian and Logan Temples.

Remaining to cherish Virginia’s memory are her sister (Nancy), husband (Richard), children (Rob, Cyndee, and David), 12 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Some of our favorite memories with Gram include swimming in the ocean, cross-country skiing, hiking and camping in Zion National Park and Goblin Valley, dancing in the living room, decorating gingerbread houses, canning cherries, canning apricots, canning apples, making fruit leather, training guide dogs, and making pancakes, all while receiving spontaneous science lessons along the way. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, 3 Jan 2025, at the chapel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1450 E. 1500 N., Logan, UT 84341.

The service will be livestreamed at the link below.