Mary “Kay” Kathryn Ratchford

Mary Kathryn Ratchford (Kay), passed away peacefully on September 20, 2014. She was born on October 10, 1935, the daughter of the late Frank Marvin Gregory and Mary Weeks Gregory. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-two years, Dr. George Rufus Ratchford. She was educated in Little Silver and Red Bank, New Jersey, and in 1953 graduated from the Northfield School for Girls in Massachusetts. In 1957 she received her BS in Nursing from Duke University. After moving to Rocky Mount she worked at Nash General Hospital for 10 years. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church, she served on the Board of Deacons, was an early member of the Bell Choir, taught preschoolers for a few years and was a Stephen Minister. For many years she delivered Meals on Wheels and served lunches to the Lunch Bunch. She was a Charter Life Member of the Rocky Mount Medical Auxiliary, a member of the Win Thorne Garden Club and the Mutual Interest Investment Club. She had many hobbies - reading, painting pastel pictures, sewing and knitting. Kay is survived by her daughter Jennifer Ratchford Blanchard and husband, Dan Blanchard; son Stephen Gregory Ratchford and wife, Alice Stanford; daughter Elizabeth Marie Strickland and husband, Bill Strickland; son Jonathan Weeks Ratchford and wife, Brenda Condie-Ratchford; seven grandchildren: Sara Kathryn Strickland, Carrie Elizabeth Strickland, Kathryn Patricia Blanchard, Shay Anne Ratchford, Raynor Austin Ratchford, Helen Stephanie Ratchford, and Lyle Gregory Ratchford; sister Anne Belden and brother-in-law, Rodney Belden, as well as a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Anita and Dan Ratchford. A private grave-side service will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Pineview Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 2:00pm. The family will receive friends and relatives at First Presbyterian Church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the music department of the First Presbyterian Church, Friends of Hospice Nash General Hospital, or to the organization of your choice. Service Location Not Available Tuesday 9/23, 2:00 pm Location Not Available Tuesday 9/23, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm