- Date Of Birth: September 29, 1940
- Date Of Death: December 9, 2022
- State: North Carolina
Charles Durham Ratley Jr died Dec 9, 2022, at the Washington DC VA hospital after a brief illness. Charles (Chuck as he introduced himself later in life) was born Sept 29, 1940, to Katherine Melvin Ratley and Charles Durham Ratley of Red Springs, NC. His maternal grandparents were Hannah Tatum Melvin and John Kelly Melvin of Aberdeen NC and his paternal grandparents were Mattie Fisher Ratley and George David Ratley of Red Springs. He was also predeceased by his sister Katherine (Kathy) Ratley Almond and is survived by his sister Margaret (Peggy) Ratley McNeill of Raleigh, by nieces and nephews, and by Melvin and Ratley cousins. Charles was very interested in the immigration in the 17th and 18th centuries of his ancestors from England, Scotland, and France into Tidewater Virginia, the Upper Cape Fear region of North Carolina, and Charleston SC.
He served for four years in the U.S. Air Force (AF) in Colorado and Germany, and after the AF, did further study in Arizona and Germany. His career included retail banking in New York City and teaching English to students in South Korea. He also lived in Charlotte, Asheville, Wilmington, and Raleigh in North Carolina.
For the past decade, Charles resided in Arlington, VA where he enjoyed the cultural and outdoor opportunities of the area and also taught English as a Second Language (ESL) at the local LADO International Institute. He was an active member of the Culpepper retirement community, Faith Lutheran Church, and a Bible study group.
He leaves faithful friends there who plan a service of remembrance and gratitude in his memory.
