Phyllis "Gayle" Ratliff

Phyllis “Gayle” Ratliff, 86, of New Castle passed away Sunday, November 16, 2025 at Asencion St. Vincent in Indianapolis. She was born March 5, 1939 in New Castle to the late Henry Clay and Blanche (Marlatt) Bavender.

Gayle retired from New Castle Community School Corporation after 30 years of service. She was treasurer and assistant business manager in the school superintendent’s office. After retirement, she and her husband, Artie continued and expanded Ratliff’s Country Christmas Tree Farm, which they began in 1987, currently White Tail Tree Farm.

Gayle also worked at the Henry County Community Foundation as an accountant. She was a business consultant for many schools in central Indiana. Gayle was the state secretary/treasurer of the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association for 8 years. She served as treasurer for Raintree Habitat for Humanity. She was a board member, treasurer and past president of the Henry County Visitors Bureau. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church. Gayle was very active, serving as a church board member, treasurer and president of the church’s Methodist Women. She was also a member and former president of Indiana School Educational Office Professionals and was the 1992 recipient of the Office Professional of the Year.

A few hobbies of Gayle include Christmas tree farming and bicycling. She once completed a 9-day 550-mile trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway and participated several times in the Hilly Hundred in Bloomington. Gayle also completed a week-long benefit ride for Habitat for Humanity at the age of 70. Above all she loved spending time with her family, whom she considered her greatest achievements.

Those left to cherish Gayle’s memory are her husband of nearly 42 years, Floyd “Artie” Ratliff; two daughters, Lisa (Richard) Hawk of Middletown and Sheryl Lynne (Alan) May of Germany; stepson, Scott Ratliff of Muncie; stepdaughter, Kim Watson of Muncie; grandchildren, Heather Williams, Alex Hicks and Ashley Hicks, Thomas Eddy IV, Derek (Caitlyn) Eddy, Deborah Ratliff, Matthew Ratliff, Seth Watson, Timmy Watson, Mason Ratliff; great-grandchildren, Jaden New, Naomi Long, Landon Hicks, Karina Hicks, Gaberial Hicks, Mckenzie Hicks, Natallie Ratliff, Laylah Ratliff; brother Robert Bavender of New Jersey; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Gayle was preceded in death by 9 siblings, Henry Clay, Fredrick, Warren, Harold, John, Richard and, James Bevender, Jean Tuttle and Rebecca Burns and a stepson, Jeffrey Ratliff.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in New Castle with Rev. Dr. Michelle White officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, November 21 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Woodlawn Christian Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Raintree Habitat for Humanity or First United Methodist Church Building Fund. You may express condolences and share memories of Gayle at www.hinsey-brown.com.