- Date Of Birth: April 2, 1919
- Date Of Death: March 17, 2013
- State: Alabama
Artie Luckett Ratliff Tapscott departed this life March 17, 2013. God blessed her with 93 beautiful years on this earth. Artie Mae was born in Decatur, Alabama on April 2, 1919, to the late Ottie Wilbur Luckett and Malinda Russell Luckett. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Orader Cooper, Lucy Pates and Dorothy Thompson, one brother, Walter Watson Luckett, and one son, Edward Wilbert Ratliff.
She gave her life to Christ at an early age. She united with St. James C. P. Church in America where she was a member for over fifty years. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, choir member, and in the Missionary Society. When her health began to decline, she moved in with her daughter, Lynne and united with Macedonia C. P. Church in America, where she remained faithful.
She attended nursing classes and received her pratical nursing certificate. Artie Mae was employed at Miller and Jacob Clinic for over thirty years, and she was also employed by the City of Decatur as a Safety Crossing Guard for Carver Elementary School and Lakeside High School for twenty-five plus years.
Artie Mae was a member of the Seimper Fidelis Club of Decatur for over 40 years and loved cooking and entertaining her family and friends. She loved reading the Book of Psalms and would often refer to it.
Artie Mae “Nug” as she was called by many of her family and friends, was a woman of character, devoted to her family. Her pride and joy was listening to her children sing and Lois playing the piano. She believed in education and often told her children how proud she was to be able to live to see them finish college, because that opportunity was not afforded her due to her mother’s death when she was only thirteen years old. Her children will tell you that she gave up much for them and loved them with all her heart. She made sure that they were brought up in the admonition of the Lord. Whenever she was unavailable to take them to church functions, she would entrust them only in the hands of, Nettie Wynn, Pansy Tramble and Amanda “Ma Mandy” Dabney.
Her survivors include: Daughters, Linda Raybon, Rev. Dr. G. Lynne Herring (John), and Carole Ratliff; son, Sean Robert Tapscott (Monica); Grandchildren, Edward Raybon (Elizabeth), Teedi Engram (Xavier), Chasity Raybon, Andre Ratliff (Christina), Stasha Ratliff, Brandon Ratliff , Ebony Ratliff and Letoya Fletcher and Camisha Tapscott; Children she raised, Brenda Joyce Tabscott, Darryl Tapscott and Lolitha Tapscott; 10 great-grandchildren, 3 great great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Leonard Raybon; niece, Lovie Pates Swoope (raised like a daughter); nephew, Leslie Luckett (Sandra); a host of other relatives, extended family and friends.
