Roy Milton Ratchford, “Catfish,” 69, of 211 Michigan Avenue, Gaffney, passed away Friday, October 15, 2021, in Cherokee Medical Center.

He was born in Gaffney and was a son of the late Roy P. Ratchford and Mrs. Kansie Littlejohn Ratchford.

He was a 1970 graduate of Gaffney High School and a retiree of The Timken Company, after 42 years of service.

Roy was a member of Limestone Missionary Baptist Church. He loved attending area revivals with the choir. Affectionately called “Milk” by his family, he loved helping people and never met a stranger. His favorite saying was, “You messing me up!” He enjoyed driving people around town, watching wrestling, football (especially the Dallas Cowboys), and baseball.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Sevoir Ratchford, Sr.; paternal grandparents, James and Ada Lindsay Ratchford; his maternal grandparents, Lucious and Ella Jones Littlejohn; five nieces and one nephew.

Roy leaves to cherish many fond memories: Tamara Sims, of Gaffney and Tyron Sims (Rkeisha), of Spartanburg, who were reared as his children; four brothers, Leonard Ratchford (Letite), Warren Ratchford (Sheila), Andrew Ratchford (Lyn), and James Ratchford, all of Gaffney; one sister, Lorraine Wray (Rev. Dr. Kerwin), of Gaffney; two nephews reared in the home, Terrence Ratchford, of Blacksburg and Troy Wilkins, of Gaffney; four grandchildren; an aunt, Helen Stringer, of Los Angeles, CA; a very special friend, Ashema Oglesby; other relatives and friends.

The Funeral Service will be Saturday, 2:00 p.m., in Limestone Missionary Baptist Church with The Reverend Michael Golden and The Reverend Dr. Kerwin Wray. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery.