of Baker, AR
September 28, 1937 - December 20, 2025
James Joel Ratchford, devoted husband, father, grandfather, son and brother, passed away at his home in Baker, Arkansas on Saturday, December 20th, 2025 at the age of 88. On September 28th, 1937, Joel was born at home into the loving household of parents, Carl and Madge Horton Ratchford, sister, Carlene and brother, David. Siblings, Nancy, Bob and Kenny followed.
Joel was a lifelong resident of Baker; and his early years in the community mingling with a large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins instilled a strong capacity for love of family and hard work that abided throughout his life.
Joel and his wife, Margie Mahan Ratchford were parents to three beautiful daughters: Janie, Tammy and Jill. They were deeply devoted to their daughters, and as their daughters' families grew, to their children and grandchildren.
In his early years, Joel's trade was logging and sawmilling in his Dad's business. In 1959, Joel started a career that spanned over fifty-five years as a homebuilder, well known for fast and unexcelled craftsmanship and a strong work ethic. During harvesting time in the South, Joel took a break from building houses to join his brother-in-law, Jerry Highfill, to own and operate cotton picking machines. They followed the picking seasons in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. After his carpenter career ended in 2012, Joel became a dedicated cattleman. He pastured his small herd in Searcy County and Boone County at his children's farms outside of Harrison. True to his devotion to his work at hand and keen focus, he made many roundtrips (about eighty-five miles each) from his Baker home to Harrison the last several years to tend to the needs of his herd, until the day or two before his death. Joel was never found idle. He didn't sit well. He was always working at something. He was once heard saying, ''I will work until the day I die''…..and he did. He could be found working through dark times and light times, through times of serious illness and times of severe physical injuries and impairments. All encounters with family, friends, and even strangers were met with broad smiles and kind words. Joel was a Christian man, a Christ follower.
Joel is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Madge Ratchford; his wife Margie; grandson, Bazze Sewell; siblings, Carlene Gilliland and David Ratchford.
Survivors include his daughters, Janie Horton, Tammy Tennyson (Chuck), and Jill Ratchford; grandchildren, Kristen Hickman (Jay), Emily Horton, Jared Horton (Kimberly), Dylan Milsap and Jack Bressler; great-grandchildren, Bazze Hickman, Liz Hickman and Marshall Horton; siblings, Nancy Moore, Bob Ratchford (Kaye) and Kenny Ratchford (Beth); sister-in-law, Martha Highfill; brother-in-law, Larry Mahan (Jeannie); and numerous Ratchford, Moore, Highfill and Mahan nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Joel will be 2:00 PM Friday, December 26th, 2025 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas with Bro. James Horton, Bob Ratchford and Jordan Methvin officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 till 2:00 PM preceding the service. Interment will be in Marshall Memorial Gardens where Joel will be laid to rest beside his wife Margie who passed away in 2009. Bearers will be Jared Horton, Marshall Horton, Dylan Milsap, Jack Bressler, Bazze Hickman, Jay Hickman, Isaac Milliken, Michael Moore and Josh Moore. Honorary bearers will be the late Bazze Sewell (beloved grandson), the late Jerry Highfill, Zac Moore, Carter Hollingsworth, Nathan Ratchford, Josh Ratchford, Daniel Ratchford, Darby Palmer, Jeremy Smith, Drew Smith, Brian Mahan, Larry Mahan and Chuck Tennyson. At the family's request, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of the Hills, PO Box 1927, Harrison, AR 72602.
To order a DVD copy of this video memorial, please contact our funeral home at + 18704483338.
Sign Guestbook
37 Condolence(s)
Steven Boyd
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Joel was such a good man and he also had such a beautiful and loving family. Love you all.
Romey Jenkins
Saturday, December 27, 2025
So very sorry for the loss of Joel, such a wonderful man. you guys are in our thoughts and Prayers.
Gayle Tilley
Friday, December 26, 2025
My deepest condolences are extended to Janie, Tammy and Jill. You had a great dad!!! God blessings to each of you and each member of your families!
Reck wallis
Thursday, December 25, 2025
So sorry dear family and friends. Joel was a fine man and someone I was very proud to know. My thoughts and prayers are with you 🙏🏼
Nancy jones
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Sorry for your loss. Joel always had a smile and a kind word. He will be missed by all that knew him. Prayers for the family.
Nancy jones
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Sorry for your loss. Joel always had a smile and a kind word. He will be missed by all that knew him. Prayers for the family.
James and Jeri White
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Our deepest sympathy
Donny McMillen
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Sincere condolences.
Lori hubbard cossey
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Girls, I have endless love for you Joel was the best just like dad i was always his ''lorili''. He seemed happy to see us every time we came in the door. I miss our happy times love
Cindy Ragland
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
So sorry for your lose praying for your family
Tom Wimberley
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
I am so so sorry for your terrible loss!!
Clara Foshee
Monday, December 22, 2025
Prayers of comfort for family
John and Kay Branscum and Pauline Blough
Monday, December 22, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Praying for your family.
Tara and Casey Warren
Monday, December 22, 2025
Kristen,
We are very sorry to hear of Joel's passing. He was a good man. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Joel was blessed to have such a caring and loving family. Trust in the Lord and lean on him during these hard times.
Eddie and Pam Cannada
Monday, December 22, 2025
We are so sorry for the loss of this fine man, you are in our prayers.
Sue Nan Wheeler
Monday, December 22, 2025
I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Joel was a kind, diligent man… the salt of the earth.
I hope your treasured memories will give you comfort in the times ahead.
I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Janet Rainbolt
Monday, December 22, 2025
So sorry to hear of Joel's passing. Joel was a fine man. Prayers for the family.
Marcus & Kate Sewell
Monday, December 22, 2025
I will always remember Joel as a hardworking man always happy and always with a smile. He was a good man loved by all 😢🙏🏻
Daphne Warren
Monday, December 22, 2025
Prayers for the Ratchford family. Daphne Warren
Edna Jean Treat
Monday, December 22, 2025
So sorry to hear this. He was a good guy. Saw him about every day when Jack and I were working at Jack Treat Lumber. Jack and Joel were very good friends.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Mark Woods
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Sorry for your loss,he was a fine man
Darrell Ragland
Sunday, December 21, 2025
He was one of the toughest, hardest working men I've ever been on a job site with. A very talented carpenter, and I'm going to miss him so much. Prayers to all the family and friends, I'm so very sorry…Joel was one of a kind
Kelly Davis
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Thoughts and prayers to the family during the loss of a loved one. May you cherish all the memories of a full and wonderful life lived.
Valorie Horton Passmore
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Family, so very sorry for your loss!! Joel was a very kind man always smiling and joyful. I know he will be dearly missed!! May God give you comfort in knowing that he is with Our Lord!! Prayers
Peggy Ragland
Sunday, December 21, 2025
So sorry for your loss he was a good man.May God bless his family and give you peace and comfort.
Lisa Jones
Sunday, December 21, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss
Jay Hickman
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Well done, Papa Joel. Well done. I told Bazze we need to do everything we can to be more like you. I'll never forget your kindness and sweet soul. Thank you for showing us how to lead a truly kind and Godly life. I'll try and do the same for Kristen and the kids.
Steve Manley
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Bob Ratchford,
I'm truly sorry to read of the passing of your Brother. I instantly knew he must have been related to you because the two of you favored so much. Please accept my most sincere condolences.
All the best, and Merry Christmas to you and Kaye.
Brenda Lewis
Sunday, December 21, 2025
I am so sorry tp hear of yout dad's passing. I always enjoyed visiting with he and Margie and pray God will give you strength during this time.
Brandy Oliver
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Sorry for your loss
Karen Kay Balentine-Knight
Sunday, December 21, 2025
I so sorry for your loss.
Larry G. George
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Prayers for your family
Renee Wallis Thieme
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Janie, Tammy and Jill, I'm so sorry to hear this. I spent a lot time at his house growing up. He was a good kind man.
Ewanda (Shipman) Young
Sunday, December 21, 2025
You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Wesley and Loretta Smith
Sunday, December 21, 2025
I really hate to hear this. We have been friends for many years with Joel and his family. Joel was a good man and he will be missed by lots of people, friends.
Rhonda Sullins Rowlett
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Praying for your family.
Eddie, and Kathy Morrison
Sunday, December 21, 2025
We're so sorry to hear about Joel passing away. We send you all our deepest sympathy, and prayers.