Greensboro - Elizabeth Ratliff Burks, 85, departed this life on Saturday February 5, 2011 at Wesley Long Hospital.

A native of Rockingham County, Elizabeth was born March 24, 1925 to John and Mary Lowe Ratliff. She received her education in the Rockingham County Public School System. She worked for Dick's Laundry Service and later retired from Moses Cone Health Systems in 1990, after 25 years of dedicated service. Until a recent decline in health she attended services at Saint James Baptist Church.

Possessing the resilience of a phenomenal woman, Elizabeth understood the peaks and valleys that came with life. Always open and caring, willing to lend a helping hand to others, she was devoted unconditionally to her family. Because of her beautiful, fun loving smile, once you met her, she was a soul that was hard to forget. The celebration of her life will forever live on.

She is preceeded in death by her parents, sister, Pauline Moore; brothers, Woodrow Ratliff and Willie Ratliff; great grandson, Brandon Blue; great granddaughter, Tiffany Davis.

In the summer of 1946, she was united in holy matrimony with her best friend, genuine partner, and caregiver, Roy Lee. Burks Sr. To this union eight children were born.

She is survived by her dedicated husband of 65 years, Roy L. Burks Sr.; sons, Nathaniel Burkes, Roy L. (Norma) Burkes Jr., Clifford (Lana) Burkes, Elbert Burkes; daughters, Isabelle Burkes, Rachel (Frankie) Hughes, Geraldine (Reginald) Woods, and Odessa (Dwayne) Thompson; sister, Annie Sue Hammond; sister-in-law, Roxie Morehead all of Greensboro; brother-in-law, Charlie Burkes of Summerfield; 18 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, a special god daughter Sheneva Booker, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 12 p.m., Hargett Funeral Services 905 E. Market St., Greensboro. Interment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 11:30 p.m. until 12 p.m. at the funeral home.