Margaret Smith Ratliff, 100, of the Birdtown Community went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in Mountain View Manor nursing home. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Artie Hornbuckle Smith.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Cain Saunooke; her second husband, Jacob Ratliff; son, Adam Saunooke; two daughters, Mary Francis Taylor, Golinda Lambert; and one brother, James Smith.

She is survived by two daughters, Vivian Ross, Lillian Franklin; one step daughter, Jeannette Teesateskie; one son, Solomon Saunooke, all of Cherokee; 19 grandchildren; 51 great grandchildren; 89 great great grandchildren; 26 great great great grandchildren; one great great great great grandchild; two sisters, Sallie Bradley of Cherokee, and Candy Maness of Siler City, NC.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Bethabara Baptist Church. Revs. James (Bo) Parris and Roland Whitaker will officiate with burial in Birdtown Cemetery.

The body will be taken to the church at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.