Delores Mae (Shew) Ratton

Delores Shew Gordon Ratton left her place on earth on Sunday, July 18, 2021 and entered the presence of her Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ and is beholding His Gloriousness. Delores was born on June 29, 1931 to Robert Louis Shew and Edna Morgan Shew in Wilmington, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers Bobby, Don, and Luke, her husband, Dr. Thomas Guy Ratton, her son Arthur Eugene “Gene” Gordon II and son-in-law Benjamin “Ben” Philpott. Her loving family whom survive are daughter, Deirdre Gordon Philpott, son Mark L. Gordon, Lexington, Step-son Thomas “Tommy” G. Ratton, Jr., Tampa, FL. Grandchildren Jennifer Gordon Crow (Gary) Sacramento, CA, Harry W. Philpott, Whitney Gordon Curry (Bradley) Lexington, Matthew L. Gordon (Ashley) High Point. T. G. Ratton III and Keagan Ratton, Tampa, FL. Great grandchildren Kason S. Curry and Reece M. Curry, Lexington. Karissa Ellis Huestis (Jason) and Dylan Ellis (Taylor) Sacramento, CA, Alexa Ratton, Tampa, FL. Great-great grandson, Jackson R. Huestis, Sacramento, CA. Sister, Janice Shew McNairy of Wilmington, NC, sister-in-law Katherine W. Shew, Thomasville. Extended family and loved one Vickey Lambros Kottyan (Nicholas). Janice Werner Gordon, Sacramento, CA.

Delores was always with her family, a member of Winter Park Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. She and her three children, Gene, Deirdre and Mark transferred their church membership from Starmount Presbyterian in Greensboro to First Presbyterian in Lexington when she and Dr. Tom Ratton married in 1967.  As a volunteer, she also manned a telephone for the Davidson County Suicide Hotline. Delores received Salvation and Born Again from above like from Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ on May 17th, 1976 and was baptized in Holy Spirit. She began worshiping in a home church. The church of High Point, with other Spirit filled Believers. Delores worked as a staff member of the Institute for Research in Social Studies at the University of North Carolina – CA. She worked as field supervisor of 13 southern states in a mammoth urban planning study sponsored by The Ford Foundation. Other works ranged from supervising surveys and studies of Consumer buying trends in the Carolinas-Virginia area to directing surveys pf hospital administrators and purchasing agents in Texas. Being the mother of three young children, traveling became an issue as she accepted the appointment of Chief of a newly formed Reserved Department at Bennett Adventuring in High Point NC. This led to being on the team to plan the first North Carolina Trade Fair in Charlotte for the promotion of the state’s strength in varied industries and as a “Variety Vacation Land”, which was their slogan.

She became interested in the Home Furnishings Industry, which had a strong presence in High Point and started working at the Alderman Company in their sales department. Her job was to work with North Carolina furniture and accessory manufacturers and their New York City advertising agencies to plan and execute photographic room settings and vignettes to be finalized in printing catalogs or featured in magazines, newspapers and TV commercials. After several years in Sales, she was transferred to the position of Resource Coordinator in the company’s Interior Design Studios, while undergoing the study of Interior Design from New York School of Interior Design. She enjoyed working at The Alderman Company for almost 20 years. After resigning, she started a design company, D’s Design of Lexington. Delores served a variety of clients in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Florida, California, and Seattle, Washington. (Before returning and closing her company December 2015) * including being chosen by the Texas company as designer in charge for the interior restoration of the Sam Vance auditorium at The American Children’s Home in Lexington. After the fire, Elaine F. Marshall, North Carolina Secretary of State came for the dedication. Delores closed D’s Designs December 2015 and she retired from practice. As an active interior designer/decorator, she became a charter member of the International Society of Interior Design (ISID) in North Carolina. She was president of the chapter during unification with for other participating organizations: Institute of Business Designers, Council of Federal Designers, American Institute of Architects, and State Planners. The Interior Design Education Council designated the combined title as International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and established headquarters in Chicago, IL. She was active as a board member and traveled to cities in both US and in Mexico and England for meetings. She enjoyed taking her young children to the beach she had loved being on the beach with her family as a child as they got older, they enjoyed trips to the North Carolina mountains and to other states for sports events and entertainment venues. They each particularly enjoyed times in Washington DC, the seat of our nation’s government exploring the museums and the historical buildings and national memorials. Washington DC is a city of natural and architectural beauty.

Delores loved cooking for family, friends and for work staff and enjoyed planning events. Travelling with husband, Tom, was adventurous and fun. They enjoyed places they saw on their own or with friends, the locations of NC Dental Society meetings and the social events shared with other members. Dr. Ratton was also a member of the American and Federal Dental Organizations, which offered international travel in Canada, South America, Europe and Africa. When life stated slowing down, the couple cherished here times at Myrtle Beach, especially when family including grandchildren could be there with them. Tom left renewed by walking or running on the beach. Delores’ favorite past time was being in her “spot” in the beach, unless her Carolina Blue umbrella with the hand painted hibiscus (gift from friend and artist, Susan Schultz) and in her chair near her friend, Sadie Brooks, looking at God’s Ocean.

 A private family memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be sent to the charity of your choice or Wake Forest Lexington Baptist Health Foundation at 2316-B South Main St. Lexington, NC 27292. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.jcgreenandsons.com. 

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