Linda Faye (Ratliff) Raybon

Homegoing Services for Mrs. Linda Raybon,75, of Decatur, AL. will be 1:00PM Saturday at Macedonia C.P. Church in America with the Elder Benjamin Burt officiating. Inhumation will follow in Decatur City Cemetery. Mrs. Raybon will lie in repose one hour prior to service.

The Family will receive friends Saturday from noon until 1:00PM at Macedonia C.P. Church in America. Public viewing will be Friday from noon until 5:00PM at Reynolds Funeral Home.

     The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” — Psalm 23:1

Linda Faye Ratliff Raybon was born in Decatur, Alabama, on April 28, 1950—a cherished gift to the late Howard Ernest Ratliff and the late Artie Mae Luckett Ratliff Tapscott. On February 27, 2026, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she was called to join the heavenly choir, where her song continues in glory. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents Ottie Walter and Malinda Russell Luckett, and Ernest and Bessie Lundy Ratliff; her brother Edward Franklin Ratliff; her aunts Orator Copper, Lucy Pates, and Dorothy Thompson; and her uncle Walter Watson Luckett.

She was a 1967 graduate of Lakeside High School.  She attended Alabama A&M and graduated from Calhoun Community College.  She was a soloist and pianist.  She was a dog lover and adored her grand dogs, Maxwell and Onyx.  On November 10, 1973, she married, Leonard Earl Raybon, and from their union came two children. 

Mrs. Raybon was truly an icon at Reynolds Funeral Home, serving faithfully as the receptionist and often the very first face families encountered during their most difficult moments. With a lively spirit and a warm, welcoming smile, she had a friendly and positive word for every person who walked through the doors. Her presence brought comfort, her laughter brought light, and her kindness helped ease heavy hearts. She was genuine in every sense—never pretending, always sincere—offering compassion not just as part of her job, but as a reflection of who she truly was. Mrs. Raybon didn’t just greet visitors; she made them feel seen, valued, and cared for.

Linda Faye — “Mama,” “Baby Sister,” “Grandma,” “Mama Linda,” and “Aunt Linda”—will forever be a voice to remember. Those who will continue her song are her loving and devoted children: Edward Raybon of Decatur, AL; Vaughn and Chasity Raybon Bailey of Ooltewah, TN; and her precious grandchild, Annika Garren of Kennewick, Washington.  Her loving sisters Dr. Gloria Lynne Herring (John) of Decatur, AL, Carole Ann Ratliff of Harrison, TN, and Anna Maria Ratliff of Decatur, AL; her brothers Sean Tapscott (Monica) of Ooltewah, TN, Cecil Ratliff and Ernest Ratliff of Decatur, AL; and a special cousin, Walter Leslie Luckett (Sandra) of Sugarland, Texas.  Linda had a remarkable gift for making each niece and nephew feel like they were her favorite.  She was cherished by many cousins and friends whose lives were brightened by her presence.

In lieu of flowers please make your charitable donations to Linda Raybon Scholarship Fund.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.