News

Mother of Young People's Leader Dies in Tragic Accident

(NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 1, 2008, GBOD) — Carolyn Aldridge, mother of the Rev. Michael Ratliff, died Monday while on a mission trip in Belize with Ratliff and his wife Lynn.

Aldridge, of Waycross, Ga., lost her life in an accidental drowning. According to unconfirmed news reports from a Belize-based radio station, Mrs. Aldridge was in a Jeep Cherokee that rolled from its parked location into the nearby flooded San Jacinto River. The river was believed to be over 20 feet deep.

"We are deeply saddened by Mrs. Carolyn Aldridge's tragic death. We ask for prayers for Mike and Lynn, their family, and all others impacted by this devastating news," said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD).

Ratliff, the associate general secretary for GBOD's Division on Ministries with Young People, and his wife and mother were part of a volunteer mission team assisting with service projects in Punta Gorda.

The General Board of Discipleship's mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD (www.gbod.org) is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at 877-899-2780, ext. 7017.