Merry Christmas 2010

Wow.. two years ago I found out I needed bypass surgery.  December 19th will be two years to the day I had my surgery.  Two years... That first year was pretty rough.  I can't to this day believe I lived through it.  I feel pretty good these days all but gaining weight that I wish I could lose real quick.  I'm just grateful for a second chance and time to spend with the kids and grandkids.

Merry Christmas all!

Natalie JJ and Isaac

Happy Anniversary Joe! 24 Years June 29

Diamond Rio: In God We Still Trust

Father's Day 2010

Bob Ramey

1930 - 1993

Thank you for the laughter,

For the good times that we shared,

Thanks for always listening,

For trying to be fair.

Thank you for your comfort,

 When things were going bad,

Thank you for the shoulder,

To cry on when I was sad.

This poem is a reminder that

All my life through,

I'll be thanking Heaven for blessing me

For a Special Dad like you."

Remembering Mom on Mother's Day by Dan Ramey

      Mother’s Day for the first time is a time of both healing and reflection. It’s the first without mom who passed away April 12, 2010.
      I wondered how tough facing this day might be. Certainly, others have faced similar circumstances, but for our family, it was our turn.
      The last time we had an experience close to this would be Father’s Day 1994. But with dad passing in February, there was more time to prepare for it.
      Following mom’s death came the advertising campaigns for Mother’s Day, each a reminder of how “special mom is” or “bring mom to (insert restaurant here)” and “make mom’s day with (insert gift here)”. The past few weeks have been constant reminders.
      Needless to say, getting to this point to share about my mom has been an emotionally charged gauntlet adventure.
Jessie Ramey-Johnson was born in rural Louisa, Kentucky. She and her family moved to Columbus, Ohio in the late 1940’s seeking employment. Mom was never one to back down from work.
      Mom found a job as a cashier in a neighborhood store, which is where she met a young man named Bob Ramey. Dad was also from the Louisa area, so they had something in common. Next thing you know, they fell in love and began a family.
      I don’t remember her being a stay-at-home mom really. She was always doing something. She and neighbor Clara Pobst hosted daycare classes in their homes since Teays Valley Schools didn’t have a kindergarten program at the time. This is where I would meet two life long friends, Ron Fausnaugh and Doug Turnbull.
      She would become my transportation to and from church at Scioto Chapel United Methodist Church where she was also my Sunday School teacher.
I can recall riding in our Plymouth station wagon driving house to house. I’d wait in the car while mom campaigned for the American Cancer Society. She sold Avon and hosted Tupperware parties, cooked in the restaurant at Scioto Downs Race Track all to help run the household and provide for us kids.
     Just before I started elementary school she and dad had purchased the corner gas station general store, Ramey’s Sinclair at the intersection of Ohio 104 and 316. She also cooked at Teays Valley High School, worked at the Ashville IGA and Ashville Pharmacy and after a few years, mom went to work at Orient State Mental Institution. Like I said, she was a hard worker and always kept busy.
      But where she made her mark on people’s lives was her passion for baking and decorating cakes. Her final business venture not only brought pleasure to weddings, birthdays and other functions, but she also shared her decorating talents, giving lessons to other women in the area.
      While attending mom’s viewing a few weeks ago, the first visitor I encountered was one of her former cake decorating students. Many more would follow. Mom left her mark on so many who came her way.
She and dad were avid campers and when dad was elected president of the Rolling Buckeyes Camping Club that meant she became the “First Lady” of camping. They and long time friends Paul and Norma Gochenhour trekked the country, making friends along the way.
      Not long after dad died, her desire to serve continued to call, so she volunteered with Hospice of Pickaway County.
Mom then married Bill Johnson a widower who’d been in the camping club with mom and dad. The Ramey’s and Johnson’s had been friends and both were looking for companionship. They spent the next 10 years together, wintering in Florida and continuing the traveling campers enjoy.
      In mom’s final years, health issues began to take their toll. Last January after losing her oldest sister Stella, mom told me she would be next. It was then she asked me to preach her funeral. I promised, knowing it would be one of the toughest challenges I’d ever be faced with.
      My brothers, sister and I made it through that period of our lives, but had no idea how much it would take out of us in the weeks that have followed.
      This is some ways has been a difficult Mother’s Day. However, it’s been one to reflect on the good memories of the woman God gave me to call “mom”. I’ve also used the day to remember the women in my life who have stepped in when mom couldn’t be there. May God bless my sister Deb, my wife Missy and Mother-in-law Sherry.
      If you still have your mom, give her a big hug and a kiss. Thank God and thank your mom when you wish her a Happy Mother’s Day. Deep down, that’s all she really wants, to know her baby still loves her.
      Happy Mother’s Day to all.

Happy Mother's Day Ethel, Weak and Mom

Winnie gave me some photos that are just AWESOME!! Thanks Winnie!

Dad, Winnie, Mom, Don & Hap

Winnie, Mom & Dad (Charlie was taking the pictures of course)

Aunt Marie and Dad not sure of the ages.

Old Photos

Jamie, Natalie and Beth at Don & Haps

Dad and Mom, Natalie and Beth at a Wilson Reunion I think in 87

Mom, Joe, Mable, Clara, Dick Jackie and Norm

The Wilson Brother and Sisters

I think the photo was most likely taken in Florida.  Not sure of the year maybe 2005?  Anybody know for sure?  Just let me know and I'll change the post.  Thanks!

Doris, Clara, Jessie, Joe and Weak

In Loving Memory of our Mother

JESSIE E. RAMEY-JOHNSON

Miss me, but let me go

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom filled room

Why cry for a soul set free

Miss me a little - but not too long

And not with your head bowed low

Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me - but let me go

For this is a journey that we must all take

And each must go alone

It's all a part of the Master's plan

A step on the road to home

When you are lonely, and sick of heart

Go to the friends we know

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds

Miss me - but let me go
Mom....finally at peace
We will miss you and think of you often....

ASHVILLE — Jessie E. Ramey-Johnson, 78, of Ashville, passed away April 12, 2010, at Pickaway Manor Nursing Home, Circleville, following a recent illness.

She was born November 6, 1931, in Louisa, Ky.

Jessie was a member of Scioto Chapel United Methodist Church in Robtown. She married Robert J. Ramey on August 6, 1949, in Greenup, Ky. In addition to raising their four children, Jessie was a cook at Teays Valley High School and worked for the State of Ohio.

She owned and operated Jessie’s Cake Decorating and taught many people how to decorate cakes in Ashville and surrounding areas. Jessie loved to camp and lived in Florida during the winters before she became very ill.

Preceded in death by her parents, Henry Morda and Golda Mae Wilson; husband of 49 years, Robert J. Ramey; second husband, Billy Johnson of Jackson; and her sisters, Stella DeBorde of Chillicothe and Emma Irene Wilson.

Jessie is survived by her four children, James Ramey (Rita) of Ashville, Debbie Ramey-Maxie (Joe) of Oak Ridge, Tenn., Michael Ramey (Janice) of Ashville, and Dan Ramey (Melissa) of Waverly. She has 7 grandchildren, Beth Raisor (Kris) of Sevierville, Tenn., Lisa Ridley (Matt) of Ashville, JR Ramey (fiancé April) of Chillicothe, Natalie Jenkins-Rice (Jason) of Lenoir City, Tenn., Susan Crompton (Rich) of Columbus, Joshua Ramey of Ashville, and Dan Ramey Jr. (Dee) of Atlanta, Ga.; six great-grandchildren, Abram Raisor, Kate Ridley, Sam Ridley, Reese Raisor, Layla Crompton and Isaac Jenkins-Rice; a brother, Joe Wilson of Florida; sisters, Clara Kipp (Marvin) of Florida and Doris Braughton (Norman) of Ohio; many nieces, nephews and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pickaway Manor Nursing Home or Brown Memorial Nursing Home.

Easter 2010

To be that young again.....

Isaac Lane visited me last night!

Road Trip!

As most of you know, Mom is back in the hospital.  Beth, Natalie, Abram, Reese, Isaac and I are going on our first road trip together to see Mom.  Something tells me this will be a unique experience... LOL...

I WANT SPRING!!!!

Ok, now a little bit of snow is ok...but let's face it folks...all this snow really sucks!  I changed the background to Spring!  If you build it they will come!!!  Come on flowers!  Come on hayfever!  Let's do it!

That's either a terrible glare or a very blessed pair of hands!

Remembering Stella W. DeBorde

Stella W. DeBorde

(April 26, 1919 - January 12, 2010)

Stella W. DeBorde, 90, of Chillicothe, died at 2:28pm January 12, 2010, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota, FL.

She was born on April 26, 1919, in Louisa, KY, to the late Morda and Golda Wilson. On September 25, 1940, she married Woodrow DeBorde, who preceded her death on August 12, 2003.
Surviving are her daughters: Sharon Cunningham, of Sarasota, FL; Jackie DeBorde and her friend Donnie Schroeder, of Circleville and North Port, FL; and Sandy (Kit) Bucy, of Chillicothe; four grandchildren: Missie (Tom) Madru, of Frankfort, OH; Clay (Kim) Bucy, of Kettering, OH; Angie Bucy, of New Hope, PA; and Richard (Kristen) Cunningham, of Bradenton, FL; five great-grandchildren: Mitchell Madru; Andrea and Noah Bucy; Beau and Brock Cunningham; a brother Joe Wilson, of Mt. Dora, FL; three sisters: Clara Vagnier (Marvin Kipp), of Mt. Dora, FL; Jesse Johnson, of Ashville, OH; and Doris (Norman) Braughton, of Columbus, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Stella had worked at the former US Shoe Corporation and retired from Sears where she worked in the Catalog Sales Department. She was a former member of the Belles & Beaus Square Dance Club.
Funeral services will be held at 10am Monday, January 18, in the Haller Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Ramey officiating. Graveside services will be held at 3pm Monday in Greenlawn Cemetery, Louisa, KY, under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home, Louisa, KY. Friends may call Sunday from 2-4pm at the Haller Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Uncle Joe, Mom, Aunt Clara and Aunt Doris Remember Aunt Stella

Everyone is in town for Aunt Stella's "Weak" funeral.  It's a sad time for all.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Sharon, Jackie, Sandy and their famlies.  We love you all.

Thanks Rodney! Handbook for 2010

HANDBOOK 2010


Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5. Make time to pray.

6. Play more games

7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.

14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything..

28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

37. The best is yet to come..

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

All My Grandsons....

Little Isaac 1 week old.

Father and son ty dye night....

Nana's little buddies....

Beth and baby Reese

The little munchkin...