Eugene Ramsey's Obituary
Eugene Edgar Ramsey of Charlotte went to be with the Lord on January 30, 2016.
His children were holding his hands and singing hymns to lead him peacefully over the threshold. He was the oldest surviving son of Arthur Edgar and Ruth Ramsey of Bessemer City born February 15, 1930. He leaves behind one surviving brother, Clayton Ramsey of Bessemer City (Hilda) and two sisters, Elaine Robinson of Kings Mountain, Eva McCoy of Gastonia, close cousin Roscoe Lingerfeldt (Mary Jean) of Kings Mountain, one aunt Grace Lingerfeldt of Southern Pines, son Larry (Vicki), daughter Renee Hutchison (Keith), grandchildren Diana Greenburg (Justin), Stephen Ramsey (Heather), Lee Hutchison, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ava Hughes, brother Archie Ramsey, juvenile brother George Lewis Ramsey and his beloved wife of nearly 60 years Phyllis (2013). Gene led a full life and enjoyed many interests. His family was a great joy to him and he was a loving and giving father, grandfather, uncle and brother. He was a friend to nearly all that he met, and had a quick wit and smile that made fast friends of most. He had a great love of the beach where he spent annual vacations with his family at Windy Hill as well as numerous trips to the Outer Banks for fishing in the fall. Another fall favorite were weekend drives to see the colors with Phyllis, often joined by her sister Margaret and husband Jack. He was also an avid gardener, or more accurately a farmer owing to his roots on the family farm growing up. There were countless quarts of beans, bags of corn, bushels of okra, squash and tomatoes that were produced with prodigious regularity. Gene knew how to grow some food.
As noted, Gene lived a hard life on the farm life growing up behind a two-mule team, helping to provide for his family. After graduating from Tryon School, he joined the US Air Force in 1949 and was stationed at posts in Albuquerque, NM and Cheyenne, WO. He traded on his existing skills as a mechanic to further that career which would prove to be his life's calling. And it was during a liberty trip back home when he met his future wife at a square dance near Dallas, NC. He was thoroughly smitten. He would spend the remainder of his tour making long rides back to NC from his posts to see his future bride. He returned from service in 1952 and in 1953 married Phyllis Jane Thornburg.
Gene spent a long and successful career as a mechanic first for Nash/Rambler, then AMC and finally at Gowen Oldsmobile where he finished out as shop foreman before retiring in 1995. He received many service awards while working at Gowen, designating him as "Master Mechanic" on numerous occasions. He was a valuable mentor to many in the shop.
Gene was an active member of his local VFW Post (6724) and participated in many events there.
Up until Phyllis' passing, Gene had been an active and faithful member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Charles Reinhardt Sunday School class. He served as driver for the activity bus, a delegate to the Lake Junaleska assembly, a member of the administrative board, and provided seniors with transportation for appointments. He also went on several mission trips. He very much enjoyed serving his church and helping to do God's work here on earth.
The family wants to extend a very special thanks to Grace Jones, Candy Hamilton, Lorna Peru and Safiyyah Stubbs who worked as care givers for "Mean Gene". Your love and devotion to him has meant so much more than we could ever express. And we want to extend our great thanks to Hospice for providing oversight, counseling and direction in Gene's care for the past year.
Services to honor the life of Eugene will be at Pleasant Grove UMC, 1915 Oakdale Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216 on Tuesday, February 2. A short graveside service will held at 3PM followed by a memorial service and visitation at the church at 4PM. (In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church or Hospice of Charlotte. Arrangements are being handled by James Funeral Home of Huntersville 704-584-9004.
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