Obituary of Ruth-Boyer Ramsey

Ruth Boyer Ramsey, a resident of Port St. Joe, Fla., for 73 years, died Friday, June 6, 2008, at Bay St. Joseph Care Center, where she had received dedicated and loving care for the past eight years. She was born July 11, 1911, in Beebe, Ark., to the late William and Claudine Boyer. She was married in 1931 to her husband of 61 years, Edwin D. Ramsey. Ruth and Edd moved from Arkansas to Port St. Joe in 1935. Ruth lived a very active and productive life as a homemaker, mother and grandmother. She was an excellent cook and most of the community enjoyed her yeast rolls that were served at many church, civic and private functions. She was a lifetime member of the National PTA, Methodist Women's Society of Christian Service, Order of the Eastern Star and she proudly sang in the adult choir of First United Methodist Church for more than 50 years. She also enjoyed traveling, painting, fishing, playing the violin, bridge and bingo. Survivors include her son, Don Ramsey and wife, Liz, of Magnolia Springs, Ala.; daughter, Lynn Kerigan and husband, Jack, of Mexico Beach, Fla.; daughter, Mary Holman and husband, Penn, of Roswell, Ga.; and daughter-in-law, Helen Ramsey Carlsten of Port St. Joe. She was known affectionately as "Mama Ruth" to her 15 grandchildren, including Lynn Ramsey Boller of Orange Beach, Ala., Michael Ramsey of Daphne, Ala., Philip Ramsey of Sarasota, Fla., David Ramsey of Orlando, Fla., Jack Kerigan Jr., Steve Kerigan and Tim Kerigan of Port St. Joe, Pat Kerigan of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Bill Holman, Bob Holman and Alan Holman of Roswell, Ga., Beth Holman of New York City, Paula Ramsey Pickett, Richard Ramsey and Robert Ramsey of Port St. Joe. Mama Ruth also had 25 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin D. Ramsey; son, Paul E. Ramsey; infant great-granddaughter, Kailee Grace Kerigan; brothers, Paul Boyer, Clarence "Peck" Boyer and Dick Boyer; and sister, Gertrude Boyer. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. EDT Sunday, June 8, 2008, at First United Methodist Church in Port St. Joe with the Rev. Ted Lovelace presiding. Burial will follow at Holly Hill Cemetery. A visitation gathering for friends and family will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. CDT today, June 7, 2008, at the Kerigan home at 1808 U.S. 98, Mexico Beach, Fla. In lieu of flowers, Ruth's personal request was that memorials be made to the adult choir of First United Methodist Church, 1001 Constitution Drive, Port St. Joe, FL 32456, phone (850) 227-1724. Expressions of sympathy may be submitted and viewed at our Web site, www.southerlandfamily.com. Southerland Family Funeral Home Port St. Joe, Fla. 32456 229-8111 507 10th St.