John Payne Ratcliff III

John Payne Ratcliff III was born in Hattiesburg on July 19, 1978, to John and Phyliss Ratcliff and passed away Nov. 2, 2022.
A funeral service was held Nov. 12 at Bethel Baptist Church in Monticello, with graveside service following at Sauls Valley Cemetery in Jayess. Bro. Jimmy Smith and Bro. Philip Alford officiated, with Wilson Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
John excelled at sports and played baseball at Lawrence County High School and Brookhaven Academy. He graduated from Brookhaven Academy and attended Hinds Community College, where he graduated with an associate degree.
He was married to Ashley Davis and from that union came Maddie Ratcliff, their only child. John was so thrilled to be Maddie’s father and only missed her softball games when he was away at work. John was a boilermaker by trade and traveled extensively in the United States. Just prior to his death, he bought Maddie a $500 softball bat. He wanted her to excel in softball, and he was very proud of her. He loved her more than anything else in the world and only wanted for him and her to be happy. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, and spending time with his Daddy and Grandpa Ratcliff. John believed in God and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was 6 years old.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, George Washington Mullins and Ladell Cox Mullins; and by his paternal grandmother, Helen Ratcliff.
He is survived by his daughter, Maddox Isabella Ratcliff, of Monticello; his father, John P. Ratcliff, of Monticello; his mother, Phyliss Dunaway, of Jayess; and his grandfather, John P. Ratcliff Sr., of Monticello.