Marble Falls school district honors longtime staffer Brenda Ratliff with granite bench
MARBLE FALLS — During a dedication ceremony Aug. 10 in honor of longtime Marble Falls Independent School District staffer Brenda Ratliff, her son Ronnie Ratliff praised the support his late mom received from co-workers as she fought cancer.
The district — particularly special-education staff members — dedicated a granite bench to Brenda Ratliff outside the central office’s main doors, 1800 Colt Circle.
The inscription reads, “Always in our hearts.”
“This means everything,” Ronnie Ratliff said. “She dedicated her life to the school and to the people here and in the community. This is incredible.”
Brenda Ratliff, 52, died Feb. 21 after her long illness. She worked for the school district more than 25 years, including her last post with the special services department that serves special-needs students.
“Brenda was often the first person to greet people when they came in,” said Special Services Executive Director Susan Maughan. “She was usually the first person to meet with our parents and guide them through the school district.”
Ratliff also reached out to district staff members and educators, her friends said.
Edith Boyd, a special education aide at Marble Falls High School, told Ratliff’s family that when she first came to the district after leaving the New Orleans area because of Hurricane Katrina, it was Brenda Ratliff who welcomed her and helped her make Marble Falls her new home.
But the biggest lessons she learned came when Ratliff fought cancer, Boyd said.
“Watching her go through her battle with cancer with such strength and grace was inspiring,” she said. “I will always remember your mother as a beautiful lady in spirit and courage.”
Ronnie Ratliff Jr. said the bench outside the main doors of the building engraved with his mother’s name is a fitting tribute.
“She was always kind of the face of the school — so she’ll love this,” he said.