Eustolia Cruz Ratliff

Eustolia Cruz Ratliff, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 1, 2024 in Harlingen, Texas. We thank Our Heavenly Father for having blessed us with a loving and wonderful Mom for 79 yrs. We were honored to be by her bedside comforting and loving our Mom.

Mom loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren unconditionally.  She loved when they came to visit her and she always greeted with a huge hug, smile and kiss.

She was born to the late Matias Cruz and Antonia Ibarra on November 2, 1944 in Mexico.

Eustolia was an employee of Carters and retired after 32 years of service.  She was of the Catholic faith.

In her leisure time, Eustolia enjoyed gardening and cooking.  She made the best tamales and menudo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Ratliff Jr.; her parents, Matias Cruz and Antonia Ibarra; her brothers, Alberto Cruz, Candido Cruz, Thomas Cruz; her brothers-in-law, Nabor Gomez, Eduardo Benavidez, David Miller, Ricardo Ratliff, Frank Ratliff;  her sisters-in law, Roble Benavidez and Raquel Garcia; her mother-in-Law, Rebecca Ratliff.

Left to treasure Eustolia’s memory are her children, Nancy Gaytan (Fermin), Fred Ratliff III, Michelle (Roy) Villarreal, Bobby Ratliff (Anna), and Virginia Garza; her grandchildren, Fermin Gaytan Jr., Marco Gaytan, Jacob Gaytan, Nicklaus Gaytan, Sierrah Ratliff, Destinee Ratliff, Jay Saldana, Lesley Saldana, Samantha Saldana, Alexsandra Castillo, Cody Ratliff, Joseph Ratliff, Cheri Muniz, Tiffany Ratliff, Ashley Ratliff, Tracy Ratliff, Jimmy Rincon, Amanda Garza, Ariel Garza; her 26 great grandchildren; her siblings, Ricarda Gamez, Braulia Benavides (Juan), Rosa Cruz, Catarino Cruz (Janie), Ernesto Cruz (Maria), Ignacio Cruz; her sisters-in-law,  Rosalva Miller, Ruby Leal, Rebecca Rodriguz and Arminda Ratliff, who was not only a sister-in-law but also a very good friend; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Todd Shenkenberg, Valley Baptist Medical Center, and Solara Hospital.

The Ratliff family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock on Wednesday evening.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Following the Mass, Eustolia will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Fermin Gaytan Jr., Marco Gaytan, Bobby Ratliff, Jay Saldana, Jacob Gaytan, and Jimmy Rincon.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Fred Ratliff III, Juan Benavides and Nicklaus Gaytan.