The Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge announces the death of Mr. Leonard Ernest Ratcliff, age 97, of Mineral Bluff, GA who died Monday, July 26, 2010, at Heritage Health Care of Blue Ridge. He was a native and lifelong resident of the Copper Basin, son of the late Jim and Molly Gaddis Ratcliff. Mr. Ratcliff was retired from Tennessee Copper Company after working 48 years, and was a member of Coletown Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Abercrombie Ratliff; one son, Gilbert Ratcliff and one sister, Nettie Dalton. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy and Pat Ratcliff of Mineral Bluff, Ga., and William and Alice Ratcliff of Mineral Bluff, GA; daughter-in-law-Sonja Ratcliff of Dallas, GA; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins of Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Bill Johnson officiating. Music will be by David Anderson. Pallbearers will be Mike Cole, Dustin Long, Eddie Nix, Jack Sanford, Luke Long, and David Emig. Interment will follow in New Hope (Flint Hill) Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 12 noon until the funeral hour of 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charges of arrangements. .