Constance (Connie) ElJean Cumbie (Kirkpatrick, Ratliff)
rode into the sunset on January 18, 2018. She was born on December 5th, 1918, the second child of Aaron Cumbie and Alma (Hamer) Cumbie. They preceded her in death. Her five siblings, Opal Estelle, Marion Louise, Aaron Banie, Aaron Albert (Jr) and Alma Grace also preceded her in death.
Connie was born in Snyder, Texas and grew up in the Barnhart, Texas area. She was quite an athlete and excelled in basketball, softball, and tennis. She was awarded an athletic scholarship for college, but because of family responsibilities declined college and began working on nearby ranches.
It was here that she met her first husband, Foster Kirkpatrick. They were married in March, 1939 in Big Lake, Texas and honeymooned at Vermijo Polo Guest Ranch in New Mexico. Several of Foster's siblings and spouses accompanied them. Two children were born from this marriage, Alice Joan and Tom Foster.
A partnership was formed to purchase a ranch in Colorado and in July, 1945, the family moved from Texas to the ranch Northwest of Pritchett, CO. The move was quite traumatic with a foot of hail on the road to the ranch in the Butte Creek area to welcome them to Colorado. The family adapted to the great Colorado environment and enjoyed many friends. The Sunday roping in Pritchett was a highlight.
Unfortunately, Foster was stricken with equine encephalitis and passed away in May, 1950. Connie was reluctant to stay on the ranch with two school age children and chose to move into Pritchett to a hotel that Foster had won in a poker game. It was there that she became friends with Tom Ratliff. Tom was a disabled World War II veteran that had a sheep operation in the area.
The two were married in November 1950 and from this union, three children were born. W.F. (Dude), Kathryn (Kak), and Thomas Bradley (Brad). In 1955 the family sold the sheep operation and bought a ranch South of Pritchett to raise cattle. This ranch grew and prospered and Connie was an integral part.
Tom Ratliff succumbed to battle wounds and passed in January 1990. Connie was active in the ranch operation and it remains in the family today.
She not only lost her two husbands, but a daughter, Joan, who died of cancer in 2010. She leaves her life for her children to cherish. Tom (Chris) Kirkpatrick of Pueblo West, CO; W.F. (Dude) (Toni) Ratliff, Pritchett, CO; Dr. Kathryn (Greg) Benes of Lincoln, NE; Brad (Ana Lea) Ratliff, Springfield, CO. 15 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and special friend Sheila Smith.
Connie was an excellent horsewoman and loved polo. She also enjoyed playing cards with friends. Many times, she would jokingly scold her husband for playing badly. Connie was a great cook. Fried chicken was one of her outstanding dishes. Fried pies were a real treat in her repertoire. She loved to have meals ready for the working crews and many times brought them out to the cowboys trailing cows. If visitors/friends stopped by at mealtime, she would just add some water to the beans. The coffee pot was always on.
She will be missed.