Mary McGee Ratcliff, 93, of Missouri City, formerly of Stowell, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, October 21, 2012, at her residence. She was born on November 11, 1918, in Welch, Louisiana, to Christine Ford McGee and Isaiah McGee, Sr.
Mary was a cook and then the dietician at The Winnie Community Hospital for many years until retiring at age of 70 but continued as their consultant until she was 80. At the age of 60 Mary went to Lee College and received her Associate’s degree and became a registered dietician. While working for the hospital she received numerous awards for cost savings for her department. Mary was the first black woman to own a business in Stowell, the Circle D Drive-In Cafe and known for her famous hamburgers. She also was the first Black woman to join the Chambers of Commerce for Winnie-Stowell. Mary was selected to Who’s Who among the women of the State of Texas. She was a faithful member and Sunday school teacher of St. James United Methodist Church of Beaumont, for thirty years. Mary wrote and published “Cooking with Love” and donated the proceeds to her church. She was an inspiration and mentor to the local children encouraging them to get a higher education.
Mary is survived by her son, Wayne Doyle of Stowell; daughters, Deborah Elias of Missouri City and Corliss Doyle of Stowell; grandchildren, Carl Williams, Sherry Elias, Theodore Doyle, Quintin Doyle, Kendra Doyle Thomas, and Kaitlyn Doyle; great-grandchildren, Trey Doyle and McCarlie Williams; and numerous family members and friends. She was preceded in death by herparents, first husband and father of her children, Percy Doyle; husband, Johnny Ratcliff; son, Jerome Doyle; and daughter, Glenda Doyle.
A gathering of Mrs. Ratcliff’s family and friends will begin at 8:00 a.m., with her funeral service to follow at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 27, 2012, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.
