Frank | Wake County 100

Narrative, Continued:

For the last four years Frank dedicated his Friday afternoons to Exploris Middle School’s 7th grade. Each afternoon he would share stories about his past, give advice on many topics (including marriage), listen, encourage students, hold wheelchair races, and celebrated the students’ successes. Most importantly, he enjoyed playing card games with his “buddies.”

If Frank could give anything to Wake County, he would have ensured that all of its citizens were healthy. Although paralyzed, Frank was a fitness model for his friends. He worked out daily on a difficult hilly course to keep in shape. He loved his community, friends, and family… and we loved him.

Frank Ratliff passed away on February 28, 2007, just two days before his interview for Wake100. This piece is based on past conversations.

Written by: Alexandra and Will B.

Frank

Gender: Male

Age: >65 deceased

Race: African American

Nativity: Born in NC

Educational Attainment:

Some High School

Occupation: Retired

Internet Access in Home: No

Religion: Christian

City: Raleigh

Narrative:

Frank was a person full of joy, hope, strength and wisdom. As a child he grew up on a NC farm, and remembers the many hardships of this life. He would willingly work long days for his family, because in his eyes community and family always came first. As a young American, Frank was inspired by the troops, and like so many boys during World War II; he lied about his age to get in the military. Perhaps this is when he became a master card player. Even though Frank has gone through a lot of hard times, including becoming paralyzed during an assault and mugging back in the 1970’s, he has always remained generous, forgiving, and full of optimism.

When Frank left the farm to come to Raleigh, he struggled to find a job, despite his determination. Eventually he found work, laying bricks in a new shopping center just west of downtown (Cameron Village). After building part of Cameron Village he left to help build the news station WRAL as well as renovations at Broughton High School. Frank loved what he did and how good craftsmanship beautified the community. Frank continued to lay bricks for M.R Peebles Masonry Contractor for twenty years. He was very popular between both black and white bricklayers (at a time when Raleigh was struggling to de-segregate). Frank was awarded a North Carolina Apprenticeship Council Certificate in the trade of Bricklayer.

Frank held a deep love for his family. When asked about his greatest sorrows, he always expressed the loss of those he loved. He often shared how much he appreciated the love and patience of his wife and children. This past fall his children sent he and his wife on a Carnival cruise, and over and over he would let the children know how much it meant to him, and that he never imagined he would experience such a thrill!

The Doon School