Michael James Ratliff

Michael James “Mickey” Ratliff, 75, a longtime resident of Columbus, Mississippi, passed away on October 16, 2026, in Spring Hill, Tennessee, after spending his final years in Middle Tennessee with his daughter, Hilary.

Mickey was born June 29, 1951, at Kindley Air Force Base in Bermuda. Growing up in an Air Force family, he lived in many places, including Japan, where he attended elementary school. Mississippi eventually became home, and Mickey spent most of his life in Columbus, a community he loved deeply.

A pilot with a lifelong love of airplanes, Mickey built a career in aviation before purchasing RAS (Ratliff Air Service) from his father. He spent decades growing the business before selling it and retiring in 2016. He loved his employees and treated them like family, and many became lifelong friends. RAS’s aviation call sign, SHANHIL, was created from the names of two of his daughters, Shannon and Hilary.

Mickey was generous, kind, funny, and famously friendly. He never met a stranger and gave freely of his time, resources, and attention, often helping others even when it came at a cost to himself.

He shared an especially close bond with his mother, Hilda Pearl, and was a proud father to his daughters, Shannon Russell, Hilary Delling, and Hannah Ratliff.

Mickey enjoyed golf, travel, particularly to New Orleans, good music, dancing, and great food. He also loved Mississippi State. A season ticket holder for decades, he faithfully followed Bulldog football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball. Few things made him happier than cheering on the Dawgs.

Mickey was preceded in death by his parents, James Emanuel and Hilda Pearl Ratliff, and his brother, Bobby Gerald Ratliff.

He is survived by his daughters, Shannon Russell (Ted), Hilary Delling (Trevor), and Hannah Ratliff, and his grandsons, Luke and Matthew Russell.

Mickey’s life was marked by generosity, friendship, laughter, and a genuine love for people. A fitting way to remember him is to be kind to strangers, help someone who needs it, enjoy a good meal and a great song, never be afraid to dance a little, and always cheer for the Bulldogs.

A private celebration of Mickey’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society.