Mrs. Jahala Ratley

December 7, 1938 - November 21, 2017

Jahala Carole Grose Ratley, age 78, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2017, at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida. She was surrounded by her two daughters. Although she left us much too soon, she leaves behind countless memories of love, music, laughter and joyful times. Jahala was born December 7, 1938, in Lakeland, Florida, to the late Ernest Joseph Grose and the late Mildred Kathryn McGraw Grose Spier. Surviving are two daughters, Kimberly Ann Ratley McKevitt (Rob), of Dothan, Alabama; and, Jennifer Lynn Ratley, of Palm Bay, Florida; a sister, Virginia Grose Davis (Terry), of Dothan, Alabama; grandchildren, Evan Ratley (Brianna), of Cincinnati, Ohio; Kirsten McKevitt Pumphrey (Derron), of Dothan, Alabama; Hannah Lynn Ratley, of Palm Bay, Florida; Jordan McKevitt of Dothan, Alabama, and Erin McKevitt of Dothan, Alabama. Great-grandchildren, Nathan Pumphrey of Dothan, Alabama; Antonio Flowers, Jr., Ahlahni Flowers, Alijah Flowers, Ari Flowers, Takai Craig, and Kingston Craig, all of Palm Bay, Florida; Evan Tyler Ratley, Jr., of Cincinnati, Ohio. Preceding Jahala in death was one brother, Brown Malachi (“Mickey”) Spier III. In life, Jahala was a woman of deep and abiding faith in Christ Jesus. She used her God-given talent in music and singing to praise Him and inspire others to follow Him. She was also a very gifted artist and loved to crochet. In the 1960’s and 70’s, she was a proud member of the Melbourne Municipal Band and played the clarinet. Jahala enjoyed her family and friends and had a wonderful laugh that will be remembered by all who knew her. She had a love for animals of all kinds but especially loved cats. She was retired from the Brevard County School System, and most recently lived in Palm Bay, Florida. A private service was conducted. The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to our many relatives for their sympathy and support during this difficult time.