Sam Ramsey

Sam Ramsey, 81, of Valdosta, died on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Fellowship Home in Brooks County. Born in Emert's Cove to the late Perry & Ollie McCarter Ramsey, Mr. Ramsey grew up in East Tennessee. After graduating from the Pittman Center School in the mid 1950's he went into the U.S. Army. Serving just after the Korean Conflict, he was stationed in Korea at the DMZ. Following his military career, he went to college, first graduating from Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee and then gaining his master's degree from Duke University. He soon started work with Koppers Industries in the timber business. They first sent him to Gainesville, FL, but he soon moved to Valdosta in 1961. In the mid 1960's he met the former Ava Vickers, and they dated for 10 years and they were married in 1979. His career soon began to transition into real estate ventures, with properties in Valdosta and Tennessee. Then later picking back up in the timber business. "Uncle Sam" was always a very hard working and hands-on entrepreneur in whatever he did. He loved hunting and fishing and was a member of the Pikes Pond Fishing Club. In his later years, he also enjoyed traveling with his wife all over the United States and through the Panama Canal. Mr. Ramsey attended First Baptist Church in Valdosta. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Ava Ramsey of Valdosta, two sisters and a brother in law, Helen King of Sevierville, TN and Ruth & Haskel Presnell of Newport , TN; a brother and sister in law, Mayford and Dorothy Jean Ramsey of Sevierville, TN; three sisters in law and two brothers in law, Jo & Danny Culpepper of Valdosta, Ann & Alford Bohanon of Largo, FL, and Faye Zittrouer of Savannah; and a brother in law and sister in law, Wayne & Judy Vickers of McRae, GA. Also surviving is a dear family friend, Veronica Johnson of Valdosta and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. The funeral for Mr. Ramsey will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday evening in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. Pastor Wayne Hughes will officiate. The graveside committal will be held on Sunday afternoon at Husky Cemetery in Sevier County, TN. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening form 6 p.m. until service time. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Halcyon Hospice. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the guest register online at www.manesfuneralhome.com. Local arrangements by Manes Funeral Home.